A day after Indian Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi resigned taking moral responsibility of the accident involving the submarine INS Sindhuratna, Defence Minister AK Antony today said he was sad about the whole development.
"I am sad about the whole development. Yesterday, Admiral Joshi met me and handed over his resignation letter," Antony told media here.
"Vice Admiral Robin Dhowan is now officiating as the new navy chief," he added.
Joshi's resignation came hours after INS Sindhuratna had a mishap off the Mumbai coast in which seven sailors were taken seriously ill. Two officers are also missing after the yesterday's incident.
Smoke engulfed the Russian-made submarine and the seven affected sailors had to be airlifted to a hospital in Mumbai. The Defence Ministry has sought a detailed report from the navy.
Yesterday's mishap was the 10th involving an Indian Navy warship and the third involving a submarine in the last seven months.