Indian naval sailing vessel Kaundinya sails on maiden overseas voyage to Oman

The INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s indigenously built traditional stitched sailing vessel, sailed on her maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman on Monday (December 29, 2025).

The Navy informed that the historic expedition marks a significant milestone in India’s endeavour to revive, understand and celebrate its ancient maritime heritage through a living ocean voyage.

The vessel was formally flagged off by Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, in the presence of Issa Saleh Al Shibani, Oman’s Ambassador to India, along with senior officers of the Indian Navy and distinguished guests.

The Navy further informed that INSV Kaundinya has been constructed using traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques, employing natural materials and methods that date back centuries. Drawing inspiration from historical sources and iconographic evidence, the vessel reflects India’s rich legacy of indigenous shipbuilding, seamanship and oceanic navigation. The voyage retraces ancient maritime routes that once connected India’s western coast with Oman, fostering trade, cultural exchange and sustained civilisational interactions across the Indian Ocean, it said.

The expedition is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between India and Oman by reinforcing shared maritime heritage and deepening cultural and people-to-people ties. The arrival of INSV Kaundinya at Muscat will symbolise the enduring bonds of friendship, mutual trust and respect between the two maritime nations. It also highlights the deep historical linkages between Gujarat and Oman, underscoring a legacy of cooperation that continues to this day, it said.

Through this voyage, the Indian Navy reaffirms its commitment to maritime diplomacy, heritage preservation and regional cooperation. INSV Kaundinya’s expedition stands as a testament to India’s civilisational maritime outlook and its role as a responsible and culturally rooted maritime nation in the Indian Ocean Region.

Commander Vikas Sheoran is the skipper of the vessel, while Commander Y. Hemant Kumar, associated with the project since its conceptualisation, is the Officer-in-Charge of the expedition. The crew comprises four officers and 13 naval sailors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his best wishes to the crew. “Wonderful to see that INSV Kaundinya is embarking on her maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, Oman… My best wishes to the crew for a safe and memorable journey, as they retrace our historic links with the Gulf region and beyond,” he said in a post on X.

This ship highlights India’s rich maritime traditions, Mr. Modi said. “I congratulate the designers, artisans, shipbuilders and the Indian Navy for their dedicated efforts in bringing this unique vessel to life.”