Samudra Pradakshina | 12 Sep 2025

Source: PIB

Defence Minister flagged off ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, the world’s first-ever Tri-service all-women sailing circumnavigation expedition, symbolising Nari Shakti, jointness of Armed Forces, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s maritime vision.

• It builds on India’s earlier circumnavigation milestones by Captain Dilip Donde (2009–10), Commander Abhilash Tomy (2012–13), and the Indian Navy’s Navika Sagar Parikrama (2017–18) and Navika Sagar Parikrama-II (2024–25).
• Expedition:  The crew, led by Lt Col Anuja Varudkar, consists of 10 women officers who will sail on the indigenously built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni for 9 months, covering 26,000 nautical miles.
  • Their route crosses the Equator twice and rounds the three great Capes (Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope), including the challenging Southern Ocean and Drake Passage.
  • They will make international port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada), and Cape Town (South Africa), strengthening India’s maritime diplomacy.
  • It also has a scientific component, with collaboration from the National Institute of Oceanography to study microplastics, marine biodiversity, and ocean health.
• Global Standards: The expedition adheres to the World Sailing Speed Record Council, requiring the crossing of all longitudes, Equator crossings and completion of over 21,600 nautical miles under sail alone, without use of canals or powered transit, making it a true test of endurance.