Samudra Pradakshina. is the first-ever circumnavigation expedition by women of all three Services of India. On July 22nd, 2026, Honourable Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed the expedition team consisting of nine women officers from Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force back to Mumbai with the help of Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni. The expedition which was accomplished in about 314 days covered nearly 25,500 miles in four oceans showcasing the maritime prowess of the country as well as the strength of Nari Shakti and tri-service collaboration.
What Is Samudra Pradakshina?
Samudra Pradakshina refers to the first Tri-service circumnavigation sailing expedition of India, where the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force women officers took part in the journey.
The Defence Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh inaugurated the mission online from Mumbai on the 11th of September, 2025 and after the successful run of the expedition, the crew returned to Mumbai on the 22nd of July, 2026.
The sailing expedition took place on a 50-foot vessel, IASV Triveni, which is self-made and depicts the self-reliance of India in maritime technology.
Historic Voyage
The journey took 314 days, leading the crew to sail close to 25,500 nautical miles, which is traversing some of the most demanding routes in the oceans.
The trip is considered a true circumnavigation of the globe due to the following reasons,
- Crossing all meridians of longitude
- Crossing the equator two times
- Crossing the International date line
- Rounding the three main capes:
- Cape Leeuwin (Australia)
- Cape Horn (South America)
- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
The above facts make Samudra Pradakshina one of the acknowledged global voyages.
IASV Triveni: A Beacon of Aatmanirbhar Bharat
The venture was carried out using the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, a completely self-reliant sailing ship.
The defence minister described IASV Triveni as a representation of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, referring to India’s ability in self-sufficient engineering, shipbuilding, and maritime innovation.
He mentioned that the ship represents the following,
- Engineering excellence
- Self-sufficient defence capability
- Technological innovations
- Strategic confidence
- The emergence of India in the maritime field
With the successful completion of the expedition, India has again showcased its capability of designing and operating advanced indigenous sailing vessels.
Remarkable Accomplishment for Nari Shakti
One of the prominent characteristics of the Samudra Pradakshina was its all-female team, consisting of nine officers sourced from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
In the flag-in ceremony, Rajnath Singh applauded the women for the outstanding bravery, resilience, and professionalism that they exhibited during the mission.
He remarked that the expedition represents the,
- Women’s leadership in military
- Gender inclusivity in India
- Bravery in adverse situations
- The essence of New India
Conquering One of the World’s Most Challenging Maritime Passages.
One of the crucial successes of the expedition is navigating the Drake Passage and rounding Cape Horn, known as one of the deadliest maritime passages in the world.
After completing this difficult journey, the crew is entitled to join the distinguished Cape Horners society, whose members are only those who get across Cape Horn sailing.
The achievement shows the exceptional skills, endurance, and professionalism of the crew.
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