INSV Kaundinya gets a rousing welcome in Oman

The INSV Kaundinya, a recreation of a 5th-century Indian ship using the ancient stitching technique, called at the Port Sultan Qaboos on Wednesday as it concluded its journey from the western Indian state of Gujarat to Muscat.

An official welcoming party, including cultural programmes by students of various Indian schools, was arranged upon its arrival at the port, which will have Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT), as the chief guest.

Before the arrival, Tavishi Behal Pandey, charge de affairs, Indian Embassy, speaking to the Observer on the importance of the ship's visit.

The ship embarked on its maiden voyage from Porbandar in the western Indian state of Gujarat to Muscat on December 29.

The visit marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India, which are witnessing significant and growing development in various fields, particularly in economic integration, which serves as a fundamental pillar aligning with the shared ambitions and aspirations of both countries.

The legendary voyage of Kaundinya, dated to around the 1st century CE, must be understood within the broader framework of the Indian Ocean maritime network, in which the western coast of India and the Omani-Arab seaboard played a pivotal role. Kaundinya's sea crossing reflects a well-established tradition of Indian blue-water navigation that connected India with Arabia, East Africa, and Southeast Asia centuries before the rise of European maritime powers.

By this period, Oman's ports—notably Muscat, Sohar, and Sur—were already integral nodes in the Indian Ocean trading system. Omani and Arab sailors were masters of monsoon-driven navigation, a knowledge system shared with Indian mariners from Gujarat, Konkan, Kerala, and the Coromandel Coast. Ships similar to those associated with Kaundinya would have followed these seasonal wind patterns, enabling long-distance voyages across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Captain Saleh Said Al Jabri, Captain of the Jewel of Muscat, explained that the arrival of the Indian Navy sailing vessel “Kaundinya” emulates the history that has linked Oman and India for thousands of years through the use of traditional sailing ships navigating by monsoon winds, which fostered the growth of commercial and social ties between them.

Commander Visas Sheoran, Skipper of the INSV Kaundinya stated that the voyage from the Republic of India to the Sultanate of Oman took 17 days. He noted that the ship will remain in Oman for twenty days to undergo necessary maintenance work before its return journey to India.

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