Tri-Services Buddha Motorcycle Expedition Flagged Off in Visakhapatnam

The Tri-Services Lord Buddha Circuit Motorcycle Expedition was flagged off from the Naval Dockyard on Thursday by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

The expedition, planned under the BIMSTEC framework with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs, will carry the teachings of Lord Buddha—peace, compassion and fraternity—across Nepal, India and Sri Lanka.

Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri, named after the Sahyadri ranges that are home to Buddhist heritage sites, served as the backdrop for the ceremony. Officials said the choice of the ship reflected the link between India’s maritime history and its cultural ties with Buddhism.

The team includes officers and personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Their participation highlights tri-services unity. The riders will travel through regions of cultural and historical value, following routes once connected to the spread of Buddhism in South Asia.

Vice Admiral Pendharkar said the expedition was a tribute to the values of Lord Buddha and also an example of India’s role in regional cooperation under BIMSTEC. He noted that the journey would strengthen goodwill and improve people-to-people connections among nations.

During the ride, the team will interact with local communities, universities and cultural organisations to highlight the shared Buddhist heritage. These meetings will also present the armed forces as representatives of peace and friendship, officials said.

The expedition will move from Visakhapatnam through several States before heading to Nepal and Sri Lanka, spreading the message of unity, tolerance and brotherhood across the region.