THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

MUSCAT, JANUARY 14, 2026

Calling the moment “a celebration of a deep-rooted civilizational bond anchored in history and enriched by trade,” Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday said the arrival of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel INSV Kaundinya in Muscat symbolised the enduring India–Oman friendship and India’s renewed confidence in its maritime legacy.

The minister was speaking at Port Sultan Qaboos as the traditionally built stitched sail vessel completed its maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, marking a milestone in the shared maritime heritage of the two nations that spans more than 5,000 years. The voyage assumes added significance as India and Oman commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations, while also underscoring the oceans’ historic role as corridors of trade, culture and economic exchange.

Sonowal said the expedition reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to revive India’s ancient shipbuilding genius and present it to the world as a symbol of sustainable and indigenous innovation. Named after the legendary Indian mariner Kaundinya, the vessel showcases India’s traditional maritime knowledge and craftsmanship. Inspired by a fifth-century CE ship depicted in the Ajanta Cave paintings, INSV Kaundinya was built using ancient stitched-plank techniques without modern nails or metal fastenings, blending heritage with sustainability.

The project was envisioned by the Prime Minister and executed by the Indian Navy with the support of naval architects, archaeologists, traditional ship designers and master shipwrights, highlighting India’s growing emphasis on knowledge-led maritime development.

The welcome ceremony at the port was attended by Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism at Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, senior officials from the Indian Navy, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Oman Police Coast Guard and other ministries. Members of the Indian community in Oman turned out in large numbers, while traditional Indian and Omani cultural performances added vibrancy to the event.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Sonowal held a bilateral meeting with Said bin Hamood bin Said Al Mawali, Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, where the two leaders discussed expanding maritime cooperation with a strong business and investment focus.

Highlighting India’s rapidly expanding port and shipping ecosystem, Sonowal invited Omani companies to participate in India’s port-led infrastructure growth under the Public-Private Partnership framework. He pointed to marquee opportunities such as the $9-billion Vadhavan Port project in Maharashtra, with a planned capacity of 23 million TEUs, and the $1.3-billion Tuticorin Outer Harbour Project in Tamil Nadu, designed to handle 4 million TEUs.

The minister also outlined India’s $8.4-billion maritime development package aimed at strengthening the shipbuilding ecosystem through dedicated clusters, shipbuilding-led industrialisation, enhanced research and development support and the creation of a Maritime Development Fund. Proposing the establishment of a Green Shipping Corridor between India and Oman, Sonowal said sustainable shipping could emerge as a key pillar of future bilateral collaboration.

Welcoming the signing of a memorandum of understanding between India and Oman on maritime heritage and museums, the minister noted that the agreement would deepen cooperation while complementing the broader commercial and strategic maritime partnership.

With enhanced connectivity, sustainable shipping initiatives and growing collaboration across ports, shipbuilding and seafaring services, the arrival of INSV Kaundinya in Muscat has not only celebrated shared history but also set the course for stronger India–Oman maritime business engagement in the years ahead.