Defence Minister virtually flags in all-women expedition Samudra Pradakshina

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has stated that the first-ever tri-services all-women expedition, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, onboard IASV Triveni not only circumnavigated the Earth but also made crores of Indians proud with this exceptional feat.

 

He virtually flagged in the ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ expedition onboard IASV Triveni. Highlighting the crew’s diplomatic visits, Mr Singh said they acted as ambassadors of India’s culture and democratic values, strengthening the country’s soft power. He hailed IASV Triveni as a living example of Atmanirbhar Bharat and of India’s innovation, capabilities and confidence.

 

Underscoring the enormous challenges faced by IASV Triveni, Mr Singh said the mental resilience of India’s daughters is greater than the gigantic oceanic waves. He added that IASV Triveni is not only a maritime expedition but also an example of the strength and coordination of India’s three defence forces, noting that the country’s strength lies in its unity.

 

The Chief of Defence Staff, General N. S. Raja Subramani; the Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth; the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan; and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (A. P. Singh), were also present virtually at the event.

 

The all-women tri-services expedition, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, with Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju as the Deputy Expedition Leader, was flagged off from Mumbai’s historic Gateway of India on 11 September 2025. It successfully completed its circumnavigation after covering over 25,500 nautical miles, crossing the Equator twice, rounding the three Great Capes-Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America), and the Cape of Good Hope (Africa)-and traversing all longitudes and major latitudes, including the Southern Ocean belt.

 

The crew followed an open-ocean route without using any straits or canals, such as the Panama or Suez Canals, and concluded the voyage at the same point from which it had begun. The expedition crew also included Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Dalvi, Captain Prajakta Nikam, Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev, and Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari.