Commemorating Nari Shakti and the vision for Viksit Bharat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday virtually flagged-off a Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition Samudra Pradakshina, the first ever in the world, from the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

In his address from South Block, Singh described the voyage as a glowing symbol of Nari Shakti, the collective strength, unity & jointness of the three Services, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and its military diplomacy and global vision.

Over the next nine months, 10 women officers will sail onboard the indigenously-built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni on an easterly route covering approximately 26,000 nautical miles.

They will cross the Equator twice, round the three great Capes - Leeuwin, Horn & Good Hope - covering all major oceans and some of the most dangerous waters, including the Southern Ocean & the Drake Passage.

The team will also make four international port calls before returning to Mumbai in May 2026.

Rajnath Singh termed Samudra Pradakshina as not only a voyage onboard a ship, but also a spiritual sadhana and a journey of discipline & willpower.

“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.

Singh recalled the recent extraordinary feat achieved by two Indian Women Navy officers - Lieutenant Commander Dilna K & Lieutenant Commander Rupa A - who successfully circumnavigated the globe onboard another indigenous vessel INS Tarini in double-handed mode, overcoming a number of challenges with courage and dedication.

He exuded confidence that IASV Triveni will set another global benchmark in maritime adventure, writing another golden chapter in India’s maritime journey.

Rajnath Singh described the Tri-service expedition as a shining example of the Government’s commitment towards jointness among the three Services.

“We believe that when there is a feeling of jointness among the Armed Forces, even the biggest challenge seems small,” he said.

Dubbing IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht indigenously-built in Puducherry, as an embodiment of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Raksha Mantri asserted that 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, he added.

On the port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada) and Cape Town (South Africa), Rajnath Singh stated that the team’s interactions will 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.

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 were present with Raksha Mantri in South Block during the virtual flag-off.

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and other senior officials were present at Gateway of India.