New Delhi, Dec 4 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday praised the Indian Navy, terming it a strong, professional force which would serve as a "potent instrument" of national power.

Greeting all naval personnel on the occasion of Navy Day, marking the force's attack on Karachi during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, Mukherjee said the navy has effectively safeguarded national maritime interests.

"Greetings & good wishes to all officers, sailors & civilian personnel of the Indian Navy on the Navy Day 2016," the President said in a tweet. 

Terming the navy is "a strong, capable & professional force, which has effectively safeguarded our national maritime interests", he said he was "confident that in the years ahead, Indian Navy will continue to progress as a potent instrument of our national power".

He said that over the past few decades, the Indian Navy has transformed itself into a multi-dimensional and technologically enabled force.