INSV Kaundinya: Why does this Indian Navy ship look like it time-travelled from the past?

This historic expedition marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts 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 august presence of His Excellency Issa Saleh Al Shibani, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to India, along with senior Indian Navy officers and distinguished guests.

INSV Kaundinya has been constructed using traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques, employing natural materials and methods that date back several centuries. Inspired by historical records and iconographic evidence, the vessel embodies 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, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and sustained civilisational interactions across the Indian Ocean.

The expedition is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties between India and Oman by reinforcing shared maritime heritage and deepening cultural and people-to-people connections.

The arrival of INSV Kaundinya in Muscat will stand as a powerful symbol of the enduring bonds of friendship, mutual trust, and respect that have linked the two maritime nations for centuries. The voyage also highlights the deep historical connections between Gujarat and Oman, reflecting a legacy of cooperation that continues to the present day.

Through this expedition, the Indian Navy underscores its commitment to maritime diplomacy, heritage preservation, and regional cooperation. INSV Kaundinya’s voyage serves 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 will skipper the vessel, while Commander Y. Hemant Kumar, who has been associated with the project since its conceptualisation, will serve as the Officer-in-Charge of the expedition. The crew comprises four officers and thirteen naval sailors.

PM Modi lauds historic voyage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the vessel, saying it highlights India’s rich maritime traditions.

“Wonderful to see that INSV Kaundinya is embarking on her maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, Oman. Built using the ancient Indian stitched-ship technique, this ship highlights India’s rich maritime traditions. I congratulate the designers, artisans, shipbuilders, and the Indian Navy for their dedicated efforts in bringing this unique vessel to life. My best wishes to the crew for a safe and memorable journey, as they retrace our historic links with the Gulf region and beyond,” Modi wrote on X.