Rajnath Singh felicitates tri-service women sailors after historic global circumnavigation
New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on July 30, 2026 felicitated the nine women officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force who successfully completed India’s first-ever tri-service all-women global circumnavigation sailing expedition, Samudra Pradakshina, aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
During an interaction with the officers in New Delhi, Singh lauded the team’s courage and perseverance in completing the 314-day voyage that covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. He described the expedition as a symbol of Nari Shakti and a landmark example of jointness among the three armed services, saying it would inspire generations of Indians.
The officers recounted the physical and mental challenges they faced during the expedition, describing the demanding voyage as both memorable and rewarding. They said their determination to bring pride to the nation kept them motivated throughout the mission. Singh said their commitment had strengthened his own resolve and demonstrated that conviction and determination could overcome even the toughest challenges.
Calling the officers’ confidence and capability “incredible”, the Defence Minister said the successful mission had shattered stereotypes about women’s ability to undertake demanding military assignments. He said the expedition had shown that physical endurance, mental resilience and leadership were not determined by gender, adding that their achievement would inspire young women across the country to pursue their ambitions without limitations.
Singh also highlighted the expedition as a model of tri-service integration, noting that officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force sailed together under one flag in pursuit of a common mission. He said the voyage underscored the strength of joint operations and demonstrated that no challenge was insurmountable when undertaken collectively.
The Defence Minister further commended the crew for projecting India’s indigenous technological capabilities and engineering excellence during their overseas port calls. He said the expedition conveyed to the international community that India possessed world-class capabilities across multiple domains.
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 military officers attended the interaction.
The IASV Triveni crew had been virtually flagged in by the Defence Minister in Mumbai on July 22 after completing the voyage. Singh had also officiated the expedition’s flag-off through video conferencing on September 11, 2025.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the mission was the culmination of nearly two years of intensive training, meticulous planning and continuous shore-based support. The expedition fulfilled all internationally recognised requirements for a global circumnavigation by crossing every meridian of longitude, crossing the Equator twice, traversing the International Date Line and rounding the three great capes – Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.
The crew also successfully navigated the notoriously difficult Drake Passage and rounded Cape Horn, earning membership of the prestigious fraternity of Cape Horners, a distinction reserved for sailors who complete one of the world’s most challenging maritime passages.
Beyond its maritime accomplishment, the expedition also served as an exercise in military diplomacy. During port visits across several countries, the crew showcased India’s maritime traditions, cultural heritage and military professionalism while strengthening goodwill and defence engagement with partner nations.
