Rajnath Singh honours women officers after historic triservice global circumnavigation mission

New Delhi: The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, on Thursday felicitated the nine women officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force who successfully completed Samudra Pradakshina, India’s first-ever triservice all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition. Sailing aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, the team completed a 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans, marking a major milestone for the Indian armed forces and women in uniform.

During an interaction with the officers in New Delhi, Singh praised their courage, determination and resilience, describing the expedition as a powerful symbol of Nari Shakti and an outstanding example of triservice jointness. He said the mission reflected the strength of teamwork and would inspire generations of Indians.

The officers shared their experiences from the expedition, saying the challenges they faced at sea made the journey deeply rewarding. They said their resolve to make the country proud helped them overcome the hardships encountered during the demanding voyage.

Singh said the team’s dedication and perseverance had inspired him personally and reinforced his belief that unwavering determination enables people to overcome even the most difficult challenges. He added that the officers had demonstrated exceptional courage, leadership and mental resilience throughout the mission.

Calling their achievement “incredible”, the defence minister said the expedition had broken longstanding stereotypes about women’s ability to undertake physically and mentally demanding military missions. He said the officers had proved that capability, endurance and leadership are not defined by gender, adding that their success would encourage young women across the country to pursue ambitious goals.

Highlighting the significance of the mission, Singh described Samudra Pradakshina as a shining example of triservice integration. He noted that officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force sailed together under one flag and one mission, demonstrating how unity and shared purpose enable extraordinary achievements.

He also commended the crew for showcasing India’s engineering excellence, indigenous capabilities and technological progress during their visits to foreign ports. According to the defence minister, the expedition conveyed a strong message that India is second to none in any field.

The IASV Triveni team was virtually flagged in by Rajnath Singh in Mumbai on July 22. He had earlier flagged off the expedition through video conferencing on September 11, 2025.

Beyond its maritime accomplishments, Samudra Pradakshina also strengthened India’s military diplomacy. During port calls across multiple countries, IASV Triveni showcased India’s maritime heritage, military professionalism, cultural traditions and indigenous capabilities, while fostering goodwill and closer ties with partner nations.

General Dhiraj Seth, the chief of the Army staff; 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; and other senior officers of the three services attended the interaction.