Historic All-Women Expedition Completes 314-Day Circumnavigation
Tri-Services Expedition Achieves Milestone
File image of IASV Triveni crew at felicitation program after successful sea expedition, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’(Photo: @rajnathsingh/X)
New Delhi, July 31: The all-women crew of IASV Triveni has successfully completed the Samudra Pradakshina expedition, a remarkable 314-day journey that involved sailing nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans.
The Ministry of Defence reported that the crew navigated all meridians, crossed the Equator twice, traversed the International Date Line, and rounded the Three Great Capes, including the challenging Drake Passage, thus earning their place among the esteemed Cape Horners.
During a ceremony in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh honored the nine officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, commending their bravery and resolve. He highlighted the expedition as a powerful representation of Nari Shakti and a prime example of collaboration among the three services.
The officers recounted their experiences, emphasizing that their dedication to making their country proud fueled their perseverance through significant physical and mental hurdles. Singh expressed that their commitment inspired him, noting that their success illustrates how determination can lead to the achievement of any objective.
He remarked that the completion of Samudra Pradakshina has broken down stereotypes regarding women's roles in demanding military operations. “You have demonstrated that physical strength, mental resilience, and leadership are not limited by gender. Every daughter in India can look up to you and believe she can also conquer the world,” he stated.
Singh praised the expedition as a brilliant example of joint operations, pointing out that officers from all three services worked together under a unified mission. He also acknowledged the team for highlighting India's engineering prowess and indigenous capabilities during their international port visits.
Present at the event were 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, along with other senior officials.
The Ministry noted that the mission's success was attributed to thorough planning, two years of rigorous training, a continuous shore-based support system, and the dedication of various organizations. The expedition met all internationally recognized standards for circumnavigation.
In addition to its maritime success, Samudra Pradakshina also served as a form of military diplomacy, with IASV Triveni promoting India's cultural heritage, maritime traditions, and professionalism during its global port calls.