Commemorating Nari Shakti and the vision of Viksit Bharat, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on September 11, 2025, virtually flagged off the first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, Samudra Pradakshina, from the Gateway of India in Mumbai. This world-first initiative will see 10 women officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force embark on a 9-month-long voyage around the globe onboard the indigenously-built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
In his address from South Block, Shri Rajnath Singh described the expedition as a glowing symbol of Nari Shakti, the unity and jointness of the three Services, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s military diplomacy and global vision. He called the voyage not just a sailing mission, but a spiritual sadhana, highlighting the discipline, determination, and willpower required to complete such a formidable challenge.
Over the next nine months, the all-women crew will cover approximately 26,000 nautical miles on an easterly route, crossing the Equator twice and rounding the three great Capes—Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope. They will navigate all major oceans, including some of the most dangerous waters like the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage. The expedition will include four international port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada), and Cape Town (South Africa), before returning to Mumbai in May 2026.
Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the recent achievements of Indian women naval officers Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Rupa A, who circumnavigated the globe on INS Tarini in double-handed mode. He expressed confidence that the IASV Triveni would create another benchmark in global maritime history. He also emphasized that the mission reflects the government’s commitment towards jointness in the Armed Forces, noting that when the services act together, even the toughest challenges become smaller.
IASV Triveni, a 50-foot indigenously-built Class A yacht constructed in Puducherry, stands as a testament to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s growing confidence in defence technology and maritime innovation. Every nautical mile covered on Triveni, Shri Rajnath Singh stated, represents a stride towards India’s strategic autonomy and self-reliance.
The crew of 10 women officers includes Expedition Leader Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, Deputy Expedition Leader Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju, Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Dalvi, Captain Prajakta P Nikam, Captain Dauli Butola, Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev, and Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari. The officers have undergone three years of rigorous training, starting with smaller offshore expeditions and later advancing to longer voyages. Earlier this year, they successfully completed a trial mission from Mumbai to Seychelles and back, which validated their seamanship, endurance, and self-sufficiency.
The circumnavigation will follow the strict rules of the World Sailing Speed Record Council, requiring completion of over 21,600 nautical miles under sail alone, without canals or powered transit. One of the most dangerous stages will be rounding Cape Horn between December 2025 and February 2026, where the crew will face massive waves, freezing winds, and unpredictable storms. The officers will work in rotating watch systems, handling sails, navigation, maintenance, cooking, and surviving harsh weather conditions.
In addition to navigation, the expedition will carry out ocean research in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography. The crew will study micro-plastics, document marine life, and spread awareness about ocean health.
The presence of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh during the virtual ceremony reflected the joint spirit of the mission. At the Gateway of India, Western Naval Command Chief Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and other senior officials were present for the historic flag-off.
India’s maritime legacy already includes landmark circumnavigations, from Captain Dilip Donde’s solo journey in 2009–10 and Commander Abhilash Tomy’s non-stop circumnavigation in 2012–13, to the Indian Navy’s all-women Navika Sagar Parikrama expeditions in 2017–18 and 2024–25. Samudra Pradakshina now carries this legacy forward, adding a new golden chapter by showcasing the courage, resilience, and leadership of Indian women in uniform on the world stage.
