INSV Kaundinya reaches Muscat, showcasing India-Oman’s ancient maritime links and future cooperation
New Delhi, January 14. India’s traditionally built naval sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya on January 13 arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat after completing its maiden voyage from Porbandar, marking a symbolic milestone in the centuries-old maritime relationship between India and Oman.
The vessel and its crew were received by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, as both countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations this year. The voyage highlighted the historic role of the Indian Ocean as a bridge between the two civilisations, whose trading and cultural ties stretch back over 5,000 years.
“This event is not only a celebration of a voyage, but of a deep-rooted civilisational bond,” Sonowal said at the welcome ceremony. He described the arrival of the stitched sail ship in Muscat as a powerful symbol of the enduring India-Oman friendship, adding that the project reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to revive and showcase India’s ancient shipbuilding traditions to the world.
Named after the legendary Indian mariner Kaundinya, the vessel is a living demonstration of India’s indigenous maritime knowledge and sustainable shipbuilding practices. Conceived by Prime Minister Modi and executed by the Indian Navy, the project brought together naval architects, archaeologists and master shipwrights. The ship was built using fifth-century techniques depicted in the Ajanta cave paintings, including stitched-plank construction without modern nails or metal fastenings.
The ceremonial welcome at the port was attended by Oman’s Undersecretary for Tourism Azzan Al Busaidi, along with senior officials from the Indian Navy, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Oman Police Coast Guard and other government departments. Members of the Indian diaspora in Oman also turned out in large numbers, while traditional Indian and Omani cultural performances marked the occasion.
On the sidelines of the event, Sonowal held talks with Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Said bin Hamood bin Said Al Mawali, to explore ways to expand bilateral maritime cooperation.
The minister highlighted opportunities for Omani companies in India’s fast-growing port and maritime sector, particularly under the public-private partnership model. He pointed to major projects such as the $9-billion Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, planned with a capacity of 23 million TEUs, and the $1.3-billion Tuticorin Outer Harbour project in Tamil Nadu, with a capacity of four million TEUs.
Sonowal also outlined India’s $8.4-billion maritime development programme aimed at boosting shipbuilding through industrial clusters, research and development support and a proposed Maritime Development Fund. He proposed the creation of a Green Shipping Corridor between India and Oman as a key area for future collaboration.
Welcoming the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries on maritime heritage and museums, Sonowal said it would further strengthen cooperation and preserve their shared seafaring history.
With enhanced connectivity, sustainable shipping initiatives and growing collaboration in ports and shipbuilding, India and Oman are set to deepen their maritime partnership in the years ahead.
