INSV Kaundinya Completes India-Oman Voyage

The India — Indian Navy's indigenously built traditional stitched sailing vessel, INSV Kaundinya, successfully completed an 18-day historic voyage from Porbandar, India, to Muscat, Oman. The vessel, based on a 5th-century CE ship design from Ajanta Caves paintings, was constructed using traditional methods by skilled artisans led by Babu Sankaran. The project was initiated through a tripartite agreement in July 2023 between the Greece — Ministry of Culture (Greece), the India — Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Greece — Ministry of Culture (Greece). The India — Indian Navy played a central role in overseeing the design, technical validation, and construction. Commander Vikas Sheoran skippered the expedition, with Commander Y Hemant Kumar as Officer-in-Charge. Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, was also part of the crew. The voyage is seen as a symbol of India's long-standing traditions of maritime exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.