Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who Monday became India's first President to experience a submarine sortie, said his delightful experience had reinforced his perception that India's submarine arm was a ''professionally skilled and mentally robust'' fighting force.
Issuing a statement after disembarking from the submarine, Kalam said he was convinced that the submarines force could shoulder ''much higher technical and professional challenges''.
Following is the text of the statement: ''Having fulfilled the long-cherished desire to sail on board a submarine, I was delighted to go on board INS Sindhu Rakshak today. The experience during my stay on board has reinforced my perception of our submarine arm as a professionally skilled and mentally robust fighting force. This bodes well for the future when the arm will be called upon to shoulder much higher technical and professional challenges. On this occasion, I would like to convey my best wishes to the submarine arm, particularly the crew of INS Sindhu Rakshak and wish them the very best in the future.''