Indian Navy Commodore Amit Srivastava described the voyage of the indigenously built sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya as a historic achievement after the ship successfully completed its 18-day journey from Porbandar in Gujarat to Muscat, Oman. Speaking at Port Sultan Qaboos, he praised the Indian Navy’s trained crew for overcoming every challenge during the expedition.

Srivastava highlighted that the vessel was constructed through the joint efforts of the Indian Navy, DRDO, and other agencies, and emphasized that the ship will soon begin its return journey to India after routine inspections and maintenance. Business leaders Kiran Ashar and Anil Khimji, who were present to witness the ship’s arrival, expressed great excitement, calling the moment emotional and historic.

The expedition was commanded by Commander Vikas Sheoran, with Commander Y. Hemant Kumar serving as Officer-in-Charge. The crew included four officers and thirteen sailors. Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council Sanjeev Sanyal, who sailed with the crew, shared daily updates of the journey.

INSV Kaundinya is a traditional stitched sail vessel, inspired by a 5th-century ship depicted in the Ajanta Caves. The project was launched in July 2023 through a partnership between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, with construction using ancient stitching techniques by Kerala artisans under master shipwright Babu Sankaran. The ship was launched in February 2025 at Goa.

The Indian Navy oversaw the design and validation process, using historical sources and modern hydrodynamic testing. The vessel features culturally significant symbols, including the Gandabherunda, the Sun, a Simha Yali figurehead, and a Harappan-style stone anchor, honoring India’s rich maritime heritage. Named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, the ship represents India’s ancient tradition of oceanic exploration and cultural exchange.