The Indian Navy’s indigenously built sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya is making steady progress across the Arabian Sea, having reportedly completed nearly one-third of its maiden voyage from Porbandar in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman. Sailing without an engine or any modern propulsion systems, the historic vessel is relying entirely on wind, sails, and ancient navigation principles, reviving a shipbuilding tradition that dates back more than 1,500 years.
Unlike contemporary naval ships, INSV Kaundinya is a “stitched” vessel — a rare construction method in which wooden planks are stitched together using natural coir rope instead of metal nails. This technique, believed to have been widely used in the Indian Ocean region as early as the fifth century, allowed ships to flex with ocean waves, making them resilient for long-distance sea travel. The vessel carries no engine, no steel components, and no modern propulsion, underscoring the authenticity of the historic experiment.
Providing an update on the voyage, Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Advisory Council, said the ship was holding course well despite the challenges of open-sea sailing. “Seas are calmer and NE wind is holding. We sailed well last night. Personally managed to get some sleep once the rolling subsided. Today, we should cross 1/3rd of the distance but hope incoming westerly wind is gentle and does not blow us again off course,” Sanyal wrote on social media.
The voyage began about a week ago from Porbandar, a port city historically associated with India’s maritime trade and cultural exchanges. As the ship set sail, Prime Minister Modi congratulated the designers, artisans, shipbuilders, and the Indian Navy for their collective effort in bringing the ancient vessel back to life. In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the crew, calling the expedition a tribute to India’s historic links with the Gulf region and beyond.
“My best wishes to the crew for a safe and memorable journey, as they retrace our historic links with the Gulf region and beyond,” Modi wrote. He also highlighted the cultural significance of the vessel, noting, “Wonderful to see that INSV Kaundinya is embarking on her maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, Oman. Built using the ancient Indian stitched-ship technique, this ship highlights India’s rich maritime traditions.”
The expedition is being closely watched by historians, maritime experts, and strategic analysts alike, as it represents more than a symbolic journey. It is a practical attempt to understand how ancient Indian sailors navigated long distances using monsoon winds, stars, and ocean currents, centuries before the advent of modern navigation technology.
Historically, the sea route from India to Oman and onward to Southeast Asia formed a crucial maritime corridor. Indian sailors and merchants regularly traversed these waters to trade spices, textiles, precious stones, and ideas with West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia. These routes played a key role in spreading Indian culture, languages, religions, and commercial networks across the Indian Ocean world.
By navigating the same sea lanes once again, INSV Kaundinya is effectively retracing India’s ancient maritime highways. The voyage serves as a living laboratory, offering insights into traditional shipbuilding, seamanship, and the economic and cultural exchanges that shaped the region for centuries.
As the vessel continues its wind-driven journey toward Muscat, the expedition stands as a powerful reminder of India’s deep-rooted maritime heritage and its enduring connection with the wider Indian Ocean world — a legacy now being rediscovered, one sail at a time.
