New Delhi, July 30: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday felicitated the nine women officers of the three Services, who returned home after successfully completing the first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ onboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
Interacting with the officers in New Delhi, Raksha Mantri praised the team’s courage and determination in successfully completing the 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. He described the expedition as a testament to Nari Shakti and an outstanding example of Tri-service jointness & synergy that will inspire every Indian.
The women officers shared their experiences with Rajnath Singh, highlighting that the expedition’s demanding nature made the voyage both memorable and rewarding. They said that their unwavering commitment to making the nation proud kept them motivated, enabling them to overcome immense physical and mental challenges.
He remarked that their dedication had inspired him and reinforced his own resolve. He added that their achievement demonstrates how firm conviction and determination can help one accomplish any goal in life.
Describing the officers’ capability and confidence as “incredible”, Singh asserted that the successful completion of ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ shattered the stereotypes that claimed that women cannot accomplish arduous military missions. “You have proven that physical capability, mental toughness, and leadership qualities are not bound by gender. Every daughter in India can look at you and believe that she, too, can cross oceans and conquer the world,” he told the officers.
He termed the expedition as a shining example of ‘Tri-service Jointness’. He noted that officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force sailed together on the same vessel under the same flag in pursuit of a shared mission. “The expedition is a testament to the fact that no horizon is too vast to conquer if we move forward together,” he added.
Singh commended the team for showcasing India’s engineering excellence, indigenous capabilities and technological advancements to the countries they visited, stating that “you conveyed a message to the world that India is second to none in any field.”
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar and other senior officers of three Services were present during the interaction.
The team of IASV Triveni was virtually flagged-in by Raksha Mantri on July 22, 2026 in Mumbai. He had graced the flag-off ceremony on September 11, 2025 through video conferencing.
The success of the mission 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.
Beyond its remarkable maritime achievement, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ also served as a powerful instrument of military diplomacy. During port calls across the globe, IASV Triveni showcased India’s rich cultural heritage, maritime traditions, military professionalism and enduring values while strengthening goodwill with friendly nations.
