- Rajnath Singh flags in India’s first all-women Tri-Service circumnavigation expedition.
- Nine women officers complete a 314-day voyage across four oceans.
- Expedition showcases Nari Shakti, Tri-Service jointness and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- IASV Triveni earns global recognition after navigating the Drake Passage and Cape Horn.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd July: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday flagged in ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, India’s first-ever Tri-Service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, after nine women officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force successfully completed a 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
The expedition, which began from Mumbai on September 11, 2025, returned to the city after fulfilling all internationally recognised criteria for a global circumnavigation, including crossing all meridians of longitude, the Equator twice, the International Date Line, and rounding the three Great Capes—Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.
Congratulating the crew through video conferencing, Rajnath Singh described the mission as a symbol of New India’s resolve, Nari Shakti, and the growing strength of Tri-Service jointness.
“The ocean waves may rise high, but the spirit of India’s daughters soars higher,” he said, praising the courage, determination and professionalism displayed by the officers throughout the expedition.
The Defence Minister said the mission demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated planning and seamless coordination among the three Services, adding that the crew’s achievement reflected the country’s commitment to joint operations and operational excellence.
The expedition successfully navigated the challenging Drake Passage and rounded Cape Horn, earning the crew membership of the prestigious global fraternity of Cape Horners, a distinction reserved for sailors who complete one of the world’s most demanding maritime passages.
Rajnath Singh said ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ also strengthened India’s military diplomacy by showcasing the country’s maritime traditions, culture and professionalism during port calls in several countries, enhancing India’s goodwill and soft power.
Highlighting the indigenous nature of the vessel, he described the 50-foot IASV Triveni as an embodiment of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, saying it reflected India’s engineering excellence, indigenous capability and strategic confidence.
Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, senior military officers and defence representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa attended the flag-in ceremony in New Delhi, while military dignitaries, veterans and family members welcomed the crew at Mumbai’s Gateway of India.
