Commemorating Nari Shakti and the vision of Viksit Bharat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off Samudra Pradakshina—the historic, first-ever Tri-Service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition—covering approximately 26,000 nautical miles around the globe. The ceremony took place at South Block in New Delhi and at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
Over the next nine months, the 10-member crew, including Major Karamjeet Kaur from the Military Nursing Service (MNS), will sail aboard the indigenously built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, a 50-foot yacht constructed in Puducherry. Equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems, Triveni has already logged 10,000 nautical miles in training and is now ready to take on the world’s oceans.
The crew consists of five Army officers, one Naval officer and four Air Force officers, trained intensively over the last two and a half years—including an international expedition to Seychelles. Their route will cross the Equator twice and round the three great Capes—Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope—sailing through all major oceans and some of the most challenging waters, including the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage. The team will make four international port calls before returning to Mumbai in May 2026.
One of their most demanding tasks will be crossing the Drake Passage—named after the 16th-century English explorer Sir Francis Drake—considered one of the world’s most treacherous sea lanes due to its powerful currents and violent storms. The circumnavigation adheres to the strict norms of the World Sailing Speed Record Council, requiring the crossing of all longitudes, Equator crossings and at least 21,600 nautical miles under sail alone, without canals or powered transit. The most formidable phase will be rounding Cape Horn in the Southern Ocean between December 2025 and February 2026.
Crossing the Southern Ocean—renowned for massive swells, freezing winds and unpredictable storms—is regarded as the ultimate test of seamanship. Working in shifts (typically four hours on, four hours off), the crew will manage sails, navigation, maintenance, and cooking, all while coping with sleep deprivation and harsh weather.
During the voyage, the team will also collaborate with the National Institute of Oceanography on scientific research, including the study of microplastics, documentation of marine life and raising awareness on ocean health.
Addressing the gathering from South Block, the Defence Minister described the voyage as a glowing symbol of Nari Shakti, the collective strength and unity of the three Services, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s global vision. Rajnath Singh called Samudra Pradakshina not merely a sea voyage, but a spiritual sadhana and a journey of discipline and willpower. “Our officers may face numerous challenges, but their flame of determination will pierce the darkness. They will return safely, proving to the world that the valour of Indian women knows no limits,” he said.
He also recalled the recent achievement of two Indian Navy women officers—Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Rupa A—who circumnavigated the globe in double-handed mode aboard INS Tarini, overcoming severe challenges with courage and dedication. Expressing confidence, he said IASV Triveni would set another global benchmark in maritime adventure and write a new golden chapter in India’s seafaring history.
Calling the expedition a shining example of the government’s commitment to jointness among the Services, Rajnath Singh said, “When there is jointness among the Armed Forces, even the biggest challenge becomes small.” He described IASV Triveni as an embodiment of Aatmanirbhar Bharat—a testament to India’s defence innovation and technology—and emphasized that each nautical mile sailed represents progress toward strategic autonomy and self-reliance.
On the port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada) and Cape Town (South Africa), he said the crew would showcase the strength of the Indian Armed Forces and project Indian culture, tradition and values to the world. “Triveni is not only a vessel of endurance, but also a vessel of diplomacy,” he noted.
Present alongside the Defence Minister at South Block were Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. At the Gateway of India, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and other senior officials attended the flag-off.
The 10-member crew comprises 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.
Their preparation began three years ago with smaller offshore expeditions on Class B vessels, before moving on to IASV Triveni, a Class A yacht acquired in October 2024. Training included progressively longer voyages along India’s western seaboard and a landmark international expedition from Mumbai to Seychelles and back earlier this year, validating their seamanship, endurance and self-sufficiency.
