A moment of pride and diplomacy unfolded at the Seychelles Coast Guard base as India’s all-women tri-services crew aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni arrived to a grand ceremonial welcome. This marked the successful completion of a major leg of the “Samudra Pradakshina” expedition—a 55-day, 4,000-nautical-mile journey symbolizing India’s growing maritime strength and commitment to gender equality in the armed forces.
The 12-member crew, drawn from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, was warmly received by the High Commissioner of India. Their arrival was witnessed by dignitaries including Roger Mancienne, Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, and Major General Micheal Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces. Their presence highlighted the strategic maritime and defence partnership between India and Seychelles, which has seen deepening cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
The “Samudra Pradakshina” expedition, translating to “Ocean Circumnavigation,” draws inspiration from India’s historic warrior queens, particularly Rani Lakshmi Bai. It follows in the wake of the Indian Navy’s 2018 Navika Sagar Parikrama, expanding the legacy of all-women maritime leadership to a tri-services collaboration. The current voyage is both a testament to endurance and a symbol of “Nari Shakti”—women’s empowerment actively promoted by India’s defence establishment.
The crew underwent two years of intensive training at the Army Adventure Nodal Centre for Blue Water Sailing under the College of Military Engineering in Pune. Training included seamanship, navigation, meteorology, emergency response, and international maritime law, reflecting India’s preparation for global maritime engagement.
The Seychelles stopover is emblematic of India’s growing diplomatic outreach. In February 2025, India had gifted the PB Boudeuse, a fast patrol boat, to the Seychelles Coast Guard during a high-level visit by the Indian External Affairs Minister. The vessel has since enhanced the nation’s maritime patrol capabilities. Major General Rosette, who greeted the IASV Triveni crew, was recently honoured by France for his contributions to maritime security, underlining regional alignment on ocean safety.
Images from the welcoming ceremony captured poignant moments: the crew standing proudly in naval whites and sailing gear beside Seychelles dignitaries, and the High Commissioner warmly shaking hands with a team member. The event concluded with a formal reception blending military decorum with cultural camaraderie as women officers in traditional Indian attire mingled with their counterparts.
The expedition continues, but the message is clear: India’s women in uniform are making waves—literally and figuratively—across the seas. The Triveni sails forward not just as a vessel, but as a beacon of courage, unity, and empowerment in global waters.
