Indian Embassy in Oman Hails INSV Kaundinya as Reflection of 5,000 Years of Heritage

Muscat, Jan 16: The Indian diaspora in Oman, supported by the Indian Embassy in Muscat, organized a grand celebration to mark the successful voyage of INSV Kaundinya, the reconstructed ancient stitched ship, on Thursday.

Tavishi Behal, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy, described INSV Kaundinya as a “symbol of India’s 5,000 year history.” Speaking to ANI, she said, “Seeing Kaundinya live for the first time gave me goosebumps. The event reflects not only government and diplomatic enthusiasm but also the spirited participation of the Indian community, who warmly welcomed the valiant crew. Everyone is inspired and motivated by this historic journey.”

Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) and part of the expedition, recounted the project’s early conceptualisation. The aim was to reconstruct an ocean-going ship using ancient Indian stitching techniques, reviving India’s maritime heritage. He explained that the project began in 2022, drawing inspiration from Ajanta paintings and earlier Omani reconstructions, such as the Jewel of Muscat. The final ship measures 21 meters in length, 6.5 meters in breadth, 3.3 meters in depth, weighs approximately 50 tons, and was crewed by 18 personnel.

INSV Kaundinya sailed from Porbandar in Gujarat on December 29, 2025, reaching Muscat on January 14, 2026, completing its trans-oceanic journey. The expedition, led by Indian Navy personnel and including Sanyal, is celebrated as a tribute to India’s 5,000-year-old seafaring traditions and its historical role in trade and cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean.

The event in Muscat highlighted the deep cultural resonance of the voyage, drawing widespread participation from the Indian community and symbolizing the enduring maritime legacy of India.