Rajnath Singh felicitates all women crew for sailing expedition that spanned the globe
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated a nine-member all-women Tri-Service crew for completing a 314-day circumnavigation of the globe. The expedition, titled 'Samudra Pradakshina', covered 25,500 nautical miles and was highlighted as a milestone for gender equality and military integration in India.
Why it matters
The mission serves as a significant symbol of women's empowerment in the armed forces and demonstrates India's growing indigenous maritime and military capabilities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (July 30, 2026) felicitated nine women officers of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for successfully completing the country’s first-ever Tri-Service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition — ‘Samudra Pradakshina’. He described their achievement as a shining example of Nari Shakti and jointness among the armed forces.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Singh spoke to the officers in New Delhi and commended them for completing the 314-day voyage aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni. They sailed nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans.
He said the expedition would inspire generations of Indians and demonstrate the power of determination, courage and teamwork.
The women officers shared their experiences of navigating some of the world’s most challenging waters, noting that despite immense physical and mental hardships, their commitment to making the nation proud kept them motivated throughout the mission.
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