Rajnath flags-in first-ever women circumnavigation expedition

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday flagged-in ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, the first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition.

The expedition will not only be remembered as a maritime expedition, but a campaign where women officers from the three Services united by a single flag, single resolve, and single objective, conveyed a global message that India’s strength lies in its unity, he said.

Advertisement

Aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, nine women officers of the three Services returned to Mumbai after successfully completing a 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. The expedition was flagged-off on September 11, 2025 from Mumbai.

Rajnath described the successful completion of the expedition as a testament to India’s ‘Nari Shakti’, a symbol of the nation’s resolve, a proof of the effectiveness of Tri-Service synergy & jointness, and a celebration of ‘New India’ that overcomes challenges to script history.

The mission’s success was made possible through meticulous planning, nearly two years of intensive training, a dedicated 24X7 shore-based support network and the unwavering commitment of numerous organisations and support agencies.

The expedition successfully fulfilled all internationally recognised criteria for a circumnavigation by crossing all meridians of longitude, crossing the Equator twice, crossing the International Date Line and rounding the Three Great Capes – Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.

The successful passage through the formidable Drake Passage and rounding of Cape Horn earned the crew membership of the prestigious fraternity of Cape Horners, an honour reserved for sailors who conquer one of the world’s most demanding maritime passages.

Commending the courage, spirit and determination of the crew of IASV Triveni, Rajnath stated that the expedition proved human courage is much greater than any storm. He said, “Ocean waves may rise high, but the spirit of India’s daughters soars higher,” highlighting that today, the women of the country are creating opportunities, leading from the front, and writing their names in the history books.

The expedition brought together officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force on a single mission, showcasing the strength of integrated planning, seamless interoperability and shared leadership. Living, training and sailing together for over ten months, the crew functioned as one cohesive team, demonstrating that jointness is not merely an organisational concept but a force multiplier that enhances operational effectiveness and national capability.

Beyond its remarkable maritime achievement, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ emerged as a significant instrument of military diplomacy.