Sunday 08 / February / 2026
Muscat: Echoing centuries of maritime exchange across the Indian Ocean, the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya was ceremonially flagged off from Muscat, an occasion that symbolizes shared maritime heritage and the enduring diplomatic partnership between India and the Sultanate of Oman.
The flagging-off ceremony was graced by Commodore Abdullah Al Hajri of the Royal Navy of Oman, His Excellency Yousef bin Issa Al-Zadjali, Chief of Human Resources Department at the Foreign Ministry, His Excellency Shri G. V. Srinivas, Ambassador of India to Oman, and Commodore Amit Srivastava, Chairman Indian Naval Sailing Association. The event also witnessed the presence of members of the diplomatic corps, senior officers of the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman, and enthusiastic participation from the Indian community in Oman.
INSV Kaundinya successfully completed her historic maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, symbolically retracing ancient maritime routes that connected India and Oman for centuries. Conceptualized in mid-2024, the expedition was executed by the Indian Navy, with support from Ministry of Culture, as a tribute to India’s seafaring traditions and the spirit of maritime enterprise that has long characterized the Indian Ocean region. Built using traditional stitched-plank shipbuilding techniques inspired by depictions in the Ajanta cave paintings, INSV Kaundinya represents one of the oldest forms of ocean-going craftsmanship. Similar vessels are known to have sailed regularly between the western coast of India and Omani ports such as Sohar and Muscat, facilitating vibrant commercial and cultural exchanges. The voyage thus reconnects both nations with a living maritime legacy that has historically bound their peoples together.
During the event, Captain Harish Srinivasan, Defence Advisor at the Embassy of India, highlighted the significance of INSV Kaundinya as a celebration of India’s maritime legacy and the centuries-old seafaring connections with Oman. He lauded Indian Navy’s successful execution of the maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, describing the vessel as a symbol of shared history, cultural exchange, and enduring friendship. He also expressed gratitude to the Royal Navy of Oman, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman, the local Indian community, and all agencies and individuals who supported the expedition.
Addressing the gathering, Commodore Amit Srivastava noted that Kaundinya is far more than a reconstructed vessel, describing her as a celebration of shared maritime heritage and the Indian Navy’s efforts to preserve and showcase traditional seafaring knowledge. He acknowledged the challenging nature of the project and commended the Indian Navy’s seamanship and dedication in successfully executing the expedition.
In his remarks, His Excellency Shri G. V. Srinivas underscored the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between India and Oman, especially in the maritime domain. He noted that the voyage of INSV Kaundinya reflects the shared legacy of navigation, trade, and cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean, and serves as a living testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations. He expressed gratitude to the leadership of both nations for their continued support in fostering such meaningful engagements.
The ceremony also saw vibrant participation from the Indian community in Oman, whose support and enthusiasm have been instrumental in celebrating the voyage and promoting India’s maritime heritage.
The flagging off of INSV Kaundinya from Muscat stands as a celebration of maritime tradition, diplomatic friendship, and the growing strategic and cultural cooperation between India and the Sultanate of Oman.
