In a first for the Indian armed forces, ten women officers from the three forces set sail on a round-the-world circumnavigation mission Samudra Pradakshina from the Gateway of India in south Mumbai on Thursday.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off the first-ever all-women round-the-world circumnavigation mission on-board the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni from South Block in New Delhi, in presence of 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.
Western Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and other senior officials were present at Gateway of India.
Describing the voyage as “a glowing symbol of Nari Shakti, Armed Forces unity, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s military diplomacy and global vision: Rajnath Singh said: “Samudra Pradakshina is not only a voyage on-board a ship, but also a spiritual sadhana and a journey of discipline and willpower”.
“It is a celebration of India’s growing maritime strength, the spirit of Nari Shakti breaking new barriers and the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat charting its course on the world stage,” the Defence Minister said. “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,” he said.
Spread over next nine months, the expedition will see 10 women officers — five from the Army, one from the Navy and four from the Air Force — sail on-board the indigenously-built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni on an easterly route covering approximately 26,000 nautical miles.
The expedition will cover all major oceans and some of the most dangerous waters on the planet, including the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage, testing human resilience against nature’s toughest challenges.
The ten women officers will cross the Equator twice, round the three great Capes — Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope — covering all major oceans and some of the most dangerous waters, including the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage.
The team will also make four international port calls before returning to Mumbai in May 2026.
While Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar is leading the expedition, Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju is her deputy.
The other members are Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Sanjeev Dalvi, Major Dauli Butola, Captain Prajakta P Nikam, Lieutenant Colonel Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev and Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari.
Recalling the recent extraordinary feat by two Indian Women Navy officers —Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Rupa A — who successfully circumnavigated the globe on-board another indigenous vessel INS Tarini in double- handed mode, Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that IASV Triveni will set another global benchmark in maritime adventure, writing another golden chapter in India’s maritime journey.
Describing the Tri-service expedition as a shining example of the Gover-nment’s commitment towards joint operations among the three Services, the Defence Minister said: “We believe that when there is a feeling of jointness among the Armed Forces, even the biggest challenge seems small,” he said.
“IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht indigenously-built in Puducherry, as an embodiment of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Raksha Mantri.
“The vessel reflects India’s confidence in defence innovation and technology. Every nautical mile of IASV Triveni is a journey towards India’s strategic autonomy and self-reliance,” Rajnath Singh said.
On the port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada) and Cape Town (South Africa), Shri Rajnath Singh said that the team’s interactions would be an introduction to the strength of the Armed Forces to the world, along with Indian culture, tradition and values. “IASV Triveni is not only a vessel of endurance, but also a vessel of diplomacy, “ he said.
