On September 11, 2025, a historic moment unfolded, from South Block in New Delhi, where Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off a journey that the world has never seen before a tri-service, all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition named Samudra Pradakshina. This expedition is beginning at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai. It is a living tribute to Nari Shakti and to India vision of a Viksit Bharat.
For the next nine months, ten women officers of the Armed Forces will sail together onboard IASV Triveni, a 50-foot indigenously-built yacht, to cover 26,000 nautical miles across the globe. It will chart an easterly course and cross the Equator twice, as well as round about the three of the great Capes of the world: Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope. It will pass through the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage regions, known for its notorious for their storms and waves. The return of IASV Triveni to Mumbai is scheduled for May 2026.
A Voyage Beyond the Seas
Shri Rajnath Singh in his address described Samudra Pradakshina as more than a physical test of endurance. He called it a spiritual sadhana, a discipline of mind and willpower. Also mentioned that “During the expedition, our officers may face numerous challenges, but their flame of determination will pierce through the darkness. They will return home safely, showing the world that the valour of Indian women is beyond any limits.”
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The defence minister reminded the nation of two remarkable officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Rupa A, who had earlier sailed around the globe in double-handed mode onboard INS Tarini. He said their achievement, is a shining example of courage and dedication. With Samudra Pradakshina, he expressed that India will once again set the global benchmark in maritime adventure.
Shri Rajnath Singh also underlined the expedition as a symbol of jointness among the Army, Navy and Air Force. “When there is a feeling of jointness among the Armed Forces, even the biggest challenge seems small,” he said.
IASV Triveni: A Vessel of Self-Reliance
The yacht chosen for this expedition, IASV Triveni, is not just a boat it is a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Built in Puducherry, this 50-foot Class A sailing vessel reflects India’s growing power in defence innovation and technology. Every nautical mile sailed by this vessel is a stride towards strategic autonomy and self-reliance. Triveni will carry more than her crew. She will carry India’s image to the world. At four international port calls Fremantle in Australia, Lyttelton in New Zealand, Port Stanley in Canada and Cape Town in South Africa the crew will meet global audiences.
Their interactions will highlight not only the strength of India’s Armed Forces but also the richness of Indian culture, tradition and values. “IASV Triveni is not only a vessel of endurance but also a vessel of diplomacy,” Shri Rajnath Singh remarked.
The significance of this event was underlined by the presence of the nation’s military leadership at the flag-off. 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 stood with the defence minister in South Block. At the Gateway of India, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan joined by other senior officials to witness history being made.
The Crew of Ten
At the heart of this mission are ten women officers, each bringing strength, skill and spirit. The crew is led by Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, with Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju as her deputy. Alongside them are 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.
These women are not strangers to the sea. They have undergone three years of rigorous training, starting with smaller offshore expeditions on Class B vessels and gradually moving to Triveni. Their preparation reached a peak with a landmark international voyage earlier this year from Mumbai to Seychelles and back. That journey tested and proved their seamanship, endurance and self-sufficiency, leaving them ready for the greater challenge of a global circumnavigation.
Following the World’s Toughest Standards
The expedition is being undertaken under the strict rules of the World Sailing Speed Record Council. To qualify this, the team must cross all longitudes, traverse the Equator twice and complete more than 21,600 nautical miles entirely under sail without powered transit or shortcuts like canals.
Perhaps the greatest trial will come when the crew attempts to round Cape Horn between December 2025 and February 2026. Sailors across the world regard this as the ultimate test. The Southern Ocean, with its huge waves, cold winds and volatile storms, tests even the most experienced sailors. For the crew existence will be a rotation duty of four hours on, four hours off, as they work through navigation, sail manipulation, cooking, upkeep and repairs, all while fighting fatigue and continual weather conditions.
Science and Legacy of India
This journey is not merely one of adventure, it is also going to add to knowledge in maritime sailing. With the collaboration of the National Institute of Oceanography, the team will make a study of micro-plastics, record marine life and promote ocean health awareness. Through this process, Samudra Pradakshina is simultaneously a tribute to courage and a mission for sustainability.
The voyage builds on a rich legacy. Globally, the first solo non-stop circumnavigation was achieved in 1969 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston of the UK. India entered this league decades after with Captain Dilip Donde (Retd), who did the first solo Indian circumnavigation in 2009–10. He was followed by Commander Abhilash Tomy (Retd), who went around non-stop in 2012–13.
For women in India, the benchmark was Navika Sagar Parikrama (2017–18), when INSV Tarini, commanded by an all-women team of naval officers, sailed around the world successfully. This was succeeded by Navika Sagar Parikrama-II (2024–25), improving India’s seafaring spirit. With Samudra Pradakshina, the tale now shifts to its next level, where officers from all three Services come together to make history.
Embracing the storm Samudra Pradakshina is not merely a test of wave and wind. It is a tale of dreams, courage and national pride. It is a demonstration of Indian womanhood, the integration of the Armed Forces, Indian shipbuilders and the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat that competes with the world on equal terms.
When IASV Triveni returns to Mumbai in May 2026, it will not only be bringing back ten officers. It will carry a legacy of determination, diplomacy and discovery. It will remind the world that the oceans are huge and merciless, but can be sailed across with courage and conviction. It will remind India that the strength of its daughters, sailing together across the world is indeed limitless.
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