Monday, February 13 2006 16:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Vishakapatanam: President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Feb 13 2006) described the submarine arm of the Indian Navy as a professionally skilled and a robust fighting force and said this bodes well for the future of the country.

"The experience during my stay on board has reinforced my perception of our submarine arm, as a professionaly skilled and mentally robust fighting force," he said in a statement after disembarking from INS Sindhurakshak submarine.

The President said this bodes well for the future when the arm will be called upon to shoulder much higher technical and professional challenges.

"Having fulfilled the long cherished desire to sail on board a submarine, I was delighted to go to sea on board INS Sindhurakshak," he said.

"On this occasion, I would like to convey my best wishes to the submarine arm, particularly, to the crew of INS Sindhurakshak and wish them the very best in the future," he said.