After Sukhoi, Prez's day out at sea in aircraft carrier Viraat

And the 74-year-old Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces utilised the opportunity to pep up the Navy and other stake-holders in the maritime arena saluting them for playing a proactive role to prevent a recurrence of Mumbai-type terror attack.

"The Navy and others are playing a proactive role to bring about synergy and establish standard operating procedures to prevent recurrence of such attacks," the President said, addressing Navy personnel aboard the carrier off Mumbai coast after spending nearly three hours in the warship which completed 50 years of service this year.
"Terror attacks last year in Mumbai are a grim reminder of the harm that can be perpetuated through the use of the sea route by elements inimical to India," said Patil, clad in a blue coloured saree and sporting a naval cap,"The nation reposes implicit faith in the capability and capacity of our maritime forces to protect our sea frontiers and to provide a peaceful environment for maritime trade and other activities," the President, who was flown to the carrier, said.

The President on arrival inspected a guard of honour and witnessed steam-past by warships and submarines and also a fly past by Sea King helicopters and Sea Harrier aircraft. Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma was also present.
Pratibha became the first woman to fly in a Sukhoi Su-30 jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Lohegaon Air Base in Pune November 25 last.

Viraat, which was procured from the UK in 1987, rejoined service at its parent base in Mumbai last month after a year-long refurbishment at Visakhapatnam.
Stating that she was "aware of the numerous measures initiated to enhance coastal security," Patil said the multi-dimensional responsibilities of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean region are important for the prosperity of the country.
The Government is committed to modernizing the Navy in keeping with the changing requirements of the 21st century, the President said.
On India's first nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant, the President said the launch of this warship in July this year was an important milestone for an equitable balance of power in the region.

The Navy plans to commission Arihant in two years.
"I am informed that many new ships, submarines and aircraft construction and acquisition projects are at various stages of completion and would help transform the Indian Navy into an even more reckonable force," she said, adding it is satisfying to note that many naval projects are indigenous.
The President lauded efforts of the Navy in providing marine training to CISF, Marine Police and others for coastal security. "The Navy has always acted with alacrity in all situations, be it humanitarian assistance after the Tsunami and Cyclone Nargis, or safe evacuation of personnel from Lebanon," she said.
Stating that piracy in the Gulf of Aden was an issue of global concern, the President said, "the presence of our warships in the area has instilled a sense of confidence in the shipping industry."

"We now have requests from other countries in the region for increased assistance in surveillance of their Exclusive Economic Zone. These increased expectations are recognition of our growing stature," she said.