The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), usually a four-star officer in the rank of admiral, commands the navy. Though the primary objective of the navy is to secure national maritime borders, India also uses its navy to enhance its international relations through joint exercises, port visits and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. In recent years, the Indian Navy has undergone considerable modernisation to replace ageing equipment currently in service, this is often seen as part of "India's drive" to become a fully fledged blue-water navy. The 17th century Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosale is considered as the Father of Indian Navy.