Rajnath Singh Honors IASV Triveni Crew for Historic All-Women Expedition
NEW DELHI, July 30, 2026 – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated the nine women officers of the Armed Forces who successfully completed Samudra Pradakshina, the first-ever all-women tri-services circumnavigation sailing expedition aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel Triveni.
Interacting with the officers in New Delhi following their return, the minister praised their extraordinary courage and determination throughout the 314-day voyage, which covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. Calling the journey a powerful testament to women empowerment and seamless tri-service synergy, he noted that their achievement would inspire the entire nation.
The crew shared their experiences during the meeting, explaining how their shared determination to make the country proud sustained them through immense physical and mental challenges. Expressing immense pride in their achievement, Rajnath Singh stated that the team’s incredible capability and confidence shattered long-standing stereotypes about women in demanding military operations. He emphasized that the mission proved physical endurance, mental strength, and leadership are not defined by gender, sending a message to every young woman in India that no goal is out of reach.
Highlighting the joint effort of the expedition, the minister pointed out that officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force sailed together under a single flag to achieve a common goal. He also commended the team for promoting India’s indigenous capabilities and engineering excellence at international ports, reinforcing the message that the nation stands second to none. Senior military leadership, including Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Air Staff Vice Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, and Naval Staff Vice Chief Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, attended the felicitation.
The voyage officially concluded on July 22, 2026, when the Defence Minister virtually flagged in the vessel in Mumbai, following its initial flag-off in September 2025. Over the course of the journey, the crew fulfilled all international criteria for a circumnavigation expedition, crossing the Equator twice, traversing the International Date Line, and rounding the three Great Capes. Their successful passage through the hazardous Drake Passage earned the crew membership in the elite fraternity of Cape Horners, while their port visits served as effective instruments of military diplomacy to strengthen goodwill with partner nations.