The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya has made its historic arrival at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat after completing its first voyage from Porbandar. This milestone symbolizes the revival of a 5,000-year maritime relationship between India and Oman, coinciding with the 70-year celebration of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The traditional stitched-sail vessel and its crew were officially welcomed by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighting the expedition’s strategic and cultural importance. The voyage underscores the role of oceans as historic connectors that have facilitated trade and cultural exchanges between India and the Arabian Peninsula over millennia.
Addressing attendees at the port, Sonowal emphasized the arrival of INSV Kaundinya as a tribute to a shared history and mutual respect. He stated, “This is not merely a voyage, but a tribute to a deep-rooted civilizational bond. The arrival of this stitched ship in Muscat symbolizes the timeless friendship between India and Oman-anchored in history, enriched by trade and strengthened by trust.” The minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision to revive India’s ancient shipbuilding traditions and showcase them globally.
Named after the legendary Indian mariner Kaundinya, the vessel embodies India’s indigenous maritime skills and sustainable shipbuilding practices. Designed by Prime Minister Modi and built by the Indian Navy, the project involved collaboration among naval architects, archaeologists, traditional ship designers, and master shipwrights. The INSV Kaundinya was inspired by a fifth-century CE ship illustrated in the Ajanta Cave paintings, constructed using ancient stitched-plank methods without modern nails or metal fastenings.
The welcome ceremony was attended by H.E. Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism at Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, alongside senior officials from the Indian Navy, the Royal Navy of Oman, and the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard. A large turnout of Indian diaspora members, including students and professionals, celebrated the ship’s arrival, accompanied by traditional cultural performances from both India and Oman.
During his visit, Sonowal held discussions with Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, H.E. Eng. Said bin Hamood bin Said Al Mawali. The talks focused on enhancing maritime cooperation, improving port connectivity, and exploring collaboration opportunities in shipping, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.
Highlighting India’s rapidly expanding maritime ecosystem, Sonowal invited Omani companies to engage in significant port-led infrastructure projects through the Public-Private Partnership framework. He detailed opportunities in the $9 billion Vadhavan Port project in Maharashtra, which aims to handle 23 million TEUs, and the $1.3 billion Tuticorin Outer Harbour Project in Tamil Nadu, designed for 4 million TEUs.
Additionally, the minister discussed India’s $8.4 billion maritime development initiative aimed at strengthening the shipbuilding ecosystem by creating industrial clusters, enhancing research and development support, establishing a Maritime Development Fund, and fostering shipbuilding-led industrialization. He also proposed the creation of an India-Oman Green Shipping Corridor to encourage sustainable maritime practices and decarbonized shipping.
Sonowal welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on maritime heritage and museums, asserting that the agreement would deepen cooperation and enhance the preservation of the shared maritime history of both nations.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/insv-kaundinya-reaches-muscat-rekindling-5000-year-old-india-oman-maritime-legacy-1331366-2026-01-14?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-01-14 22:20:00
