**Executive Summary**
The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya will be ceremonially flagged into Mumbai Harbour on 02 Mar 2026 by Shri Sanjay Seth, Raksha Rajya Mantri. This event marks the completion of the vessel's maiden overseas voyage to Oman, strengthening India-Oman maritime linkages. The vessel is a traditionally constructed stitched ship built using ancient Indian techniques.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Flag-In Ceremony:**
* The flag-in ceremony will be held in Mumbai Harbour on 02 Mar 2026.
* Shri Sanjay Seth, Raksha Rajya Mantri, will officiate the ceremony.
* **INSV Kaundinya Vessel Details:**
* A traditionally constructed stitched ship built with ancient Indian techniques.
* Wooden planks are hand-stitched using coir rope and sealed with natural resins.
* Conceptualised from a 5th-century CE depiction in the Ajanta Caves.
* **Voyage and Purpose:**
* Sailed from Porbandar on 29 Dec 2025, to Muscat.
* Arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos on 14 Jan 2026.
* The voyage strengthened India-Oman linkages and maritime heritage.
* Symbolizes India's ancient tradition of oceanic navigation.
* **Objectives and Symbolism:**
* Reaffirms India's maritime heritage and India-Oman linkages.
* Represents a revival of India's maritime craftsmanship.
* Highlights the Indian Navy's role as a custodian of maritime legacy.
* The flag-in ceremony marks the culmination of a maritime heritage revival project.
* Underscores India's commitment to maritime outreach and cultural diplomacy.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy**
* **Impact:** Showcases the Indian Navy's role as a maritime security provider and custodian of India's civilisational maritime legacy.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly stated; however, the Indian Navy is responsible for the vessel's operation and the execution of its voyages.
**India and Oman**
* **Impact:** Strengthens diplomatic and cultural ties between India and Oman through the reinforcement of shared seafaring traditions.
* **Action Required:** Continue to foster the maritime linkages established by the voyage.
Key Entities Referenced
INSV Kaundinya: Indian Naval Sailing Vessel that completed a voyage to Oman and was flagged into Mumbai Harbour.
Ministry of Defence: The ministry under which the event related to INSV Kaundinya falls.
Mumbai Harbour: Location where INSV Kaundinya was ceremonially flagged in.
Oman: The nation where INSV Kaundinya sailed to, strengthening India-Oman linkages.
Ministry of Defence
INSV KAUNDINYA TO BE FLAGGED INTO
MUMBAI HARBOUR
Posted On: 01 MAR 2026 8:09PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya will be ceremonially flagged into Mumbai Harbour on
02 Mar 2026 by Shri Sanjay Seth, Raksha Rajya Mantri.
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 Dec 2025 for Muscat, retracing ancient maritime routes
once used by Indian mariners. She arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos on 14 Jan 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 will mark 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._____________________________________________________________
VM/SKY 41/26
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