Visakhapatnam, December 8 (IANS) The Indian Navy plays its role not just in ensuring national security but in nation building, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday. Addressing the gathering after awarding the President's Colours to the Navy's Submarine Arm, he also said that including submarine technology in the Make in India programme will strengthen Indian Navy's capabilities for years to come. "Today, our maritime interests are directly linked to India's economy and security, and to the well-being of our people. Over 90 per cent of our trade by volume uses the sea route," said the President, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces. "All this enhances the role of the Indian Navy not just in national security but in the wider process of nation building. The Navy is India's primary instrument of sea power. It is also the guardian of our maritime interests, both military and civilian," he said. The President said that the Colours are being presented to the Submarine Arm in recognition of its extraordinary service to the nation, in peace and war, in the past 50 years. "In the past 50 years, 25 submarines have been in commission at various points. These submarines and their crew members have been a crucial part of the Indian Navy's operations," he said, adding that Indian submarines have achieved major operational achievements without much fanfare in the 1971 War, during Operation Vijay in 1999, and then Operation Parakram, 2002. "To date, 17 submarines of the Navy have been awarded the Chief of Naval Staff's 'Unit Citation' for exceptional service," he said. Kovind also said that he was happy to note that submarine technology is part of the 'Make in India' programme as this will strengthen capabilities in the years to come. Under project 75 India or 75I, Indian Navy was to get six conventional submarines, which were to be made in the country. The project was made a part of the strategic partnership model by Defence Ministry. Indian Navy has 15 submarines, while China has around 70. Indian submarines include two nuclear propulsion submarines - INS Chakra, which has been taken on lease from Russia for ten years and INS Arihant which has been indigenously constructed. Apart from these there are nine Russian Sindhughosh class attack submarines, and four German Shishumar class attack submarines. Apart from these, six Scorpene class submarines are under construction in India, with first of these - INS Kalvari likely to be inducted soon. India has meanwhile also started a programme for building six SSNs, or nuclear powered attack submarines. President Kovind also paid homage to the Indian Navy submariners who have laid down their lives in the service of the country.