The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya was ceremonially flagged into Mumbai Harbour on 2 March 2026 by state defence minister Sanjay Seth.

Addressing the gathering, Seth highlighted the national significance of the project, stating that INSV Kaundinya represented the revival of India’s ancient maritime knowledge systems and would serve as an inspiration to the youth of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan commended the crew for their extraordinary dedication and professionalism in sailing a traditionally constructed stitched vessel across the Arabian Sea. He underscored the immense hard work involved from conceptualisation and research to design, traditional construction, crew training and execution of the voyage.

          The flag-in ceremony marks the successful completion of the vessel’s maiden overseas voyage to the Sultanate of Oman and her historic return passage across the Arabian Sea, reaffirming India’s enduring maritime heritage and India–Oman linkages across the Indian Ocean.

INSV Kaundinya is a traditionally constructed stitched ship, built entirely using ancient Indian techniques in which wooden planks are hand-stitched together using coir rope and sealed with natural resins. The vessel represents a revival of India’s centuries-old maritime craftsmanship and reflects the nation’s commitment to rediscovering and preserving its Indic knowledge systems. Conceptualised from a 5th century CE depiction in the Ajanta Caves and constructed under the supervision of the Indian Navy in collaboration with traditional artisans, the vessel embodies the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern naval engineering validation.

INSV Kaundinya sailed from Porbandar on 29 December 2025 for Muscat, retracing ancient maritime routes once used by Indian mariners. She arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos on 14 January 2026, where she received a ceremonial welcome in the presence of Omani dignitaries and members of the Indian diaspora. During her stay, the vessel was opened to visitors, serving as a floating symbol of maritime heritage and cultural diplomacy. The voyage significantly strengthened India–Oman linkages, rooted in millennia of trade in spices, textiles and frankincense, and reinforced shared seafaring traditions across the Arabian Sea.

The expedition highlighted the Indian Navy’s role not only as a maritime security provider but also as a custodian of India’s civilisational maritime legacy. Named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, the vessel symbolises India’s ancient tradition of oceanic navigation and outreach across the Indian Ocean. Her successful voyage stands as a testament to the resilience of traditional maritime construction practices and the professionalism of her crew.

The flag-in at Mumbai marked the culmination of a landmark maritime heritage revival project and underscore India’s continuing commitment to maritime outreach, cultural diplomacy and the preservation of traditional nautical craftsmanship.