(Eds: Adds details)Visakhapatnam, Dec 8 (PTI) President Ram Nath Kovindtoday said the Navy was India's primary instrument of seapower and it was playing an enhanced role in national securityand nation building.
Kovind presented President's Colour to the submarine armof the Indian Navy, which is celebrating its golden jubilee,in recognition of its extraordinary service to the nation inthe past 50 years.
Till date, 17 submarines of the Navy have been awardedthe Chief of Naval Staff's Unit Citation for exceptionalservice.
"Today, our maritime interests are directly linked to theeconomy and security, and to the well-being of our people.
Over 90 per cent of our trade by volume uses the sea route.
All this enhances the role of the Indian Navy not just innational security but in the wider process of nation building.
"The Navy is India's primary instrument of sea power. Itis also the guardian of our maritime interests, both militaryand civilian," Kovind said.
He expressed happiness that the submarine technology wasnow part of the government's "Make in India" programme.
"This will strengthen our capabilities in the years tocome," the president said.
Commending the role being played by the submarine armover the past 50 years, the Supreme Commander of the ArmedForces said submarines and their crew had been a crucial partof the Navy's operations.
"In the past 50 years, 25 submarines have been incommission at various points. Submarines are complex,high-technology platforms. They acquire their strength fromstealth. Quietly and without much fanfare, our submarines havehad major operational achievements – in the 1971 War, duringOperation Vijay in 1999, and in Operation Parakram, 2002,"Kovind said.
"The sea is an unforgiving medium for those who do notrespect it. No one knows this better than the valiantsubmariners of the Indian Navy, who operate their boats andperform their duties beneath the waves," the president said.
He said the scheduled commissioning of Kalvari in her newavatar will complete the "Kalvari to Kalvari" journey.
The first Indian naval submarine, on which the navalensign and the national flag were hoisted on this day in 1967,was also named Kalvari.
Kovind also paid homage to the Indian Navy submarinerswho laid down their lives for the nation. PTI DBV NRBGVS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.