MUMBAI — India's armed forces marked the successful completion of the country's first all-women tri-service circumnavigation sailing expedition, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally flagging in the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni after its 314-day voyage around the globe.
The expedition, named Samudra Pradakshina, brought nine women officers from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force back to Mumbai after they sailed nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans, according to India's Ministry of Defence. The mission had been virtually flagged off on Sept. 11, 2025, from Mumbai's Gateway of India.
The crew completed an open-ocean circumnavigation that crossed the Equator twice, rounded the three Great Capes — Cape Leeuwin in Australia, Cape Horn in South America and the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa — and returned to its starting point without using the Suez or Panama canals, the ministry said.
The expedition was led by Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, with Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju serving as deputy expedition leader. The remaining crew comprised officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force, reflecting what Indian officials described as a demonstration of tri-service cooperation.
Speaking during the flag-in ceremony by video conference, Singh said the expedition symbolised "New India's resolve, Nari Shakti and Tri-service jointness," according to the Ministry of Defence. He described IASV Triveni as evidence of India's indigenous capabilities and engineering expertise and said the voyage showcased the resilience of the women officers who completed it.
The ministry said the expedition also included diplomatic port calls, during which the crew engaged with Indian diaspora communities and represented India abroad, adding that the voyage strengthened maritime cooperation and highlighted the country's seafaring traditions.
According to official accounts, the officers navigated some of the world's most demanding waters, including the Southern Ocean, enduring severe weather while maintaining the voyage's planned route. Indian media reported the crew encountered storms with winds of up to 60 knots and waves reaching about five metres during the expedition.
The successful completion of Samudra Pradakshina marks what the Ministry of Defence has described as the world's first all-women tri-service circumnavigation by sea. With the vessel's return to Mumbai, the expedition has concluded, and Indian defence authorities have hailed it as a milestone in the country's maritime and military history.
