Port Sultan Qaboos Receives Indian Navy Sailing Vessel Kaundinya
Muscat, 14 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Sultanate of Oman, organized a reception today for the Indian Navy sailing vessel "INSV Kaundinya" at Port Sultan Qaboos. The vessel set sail on 29 December from the port of Porbandar in the Indian state of Gujarat.
The reception was held under the auspices of Azzan Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, in the presence of Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of the Republic of India.
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.
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.
For his part, 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.
The voyage is the first to the Sultanate of Oman for "Kaundinya,"—a vessel constructed using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques without the use of modern nails or metal fastenings—that serves as a symbol of a shared maritime history. The vessel draws its design inspiration from the vessels that traversed the Indian Ocean in ancient times, linking Omani ports to the western coast of India.
The event was attended by several officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Royal Navy of Oman, and the Royal Oman Police.
--Ends/AG
