Indian Navy's sailing vessel, INS Kondinya, flagged off from Porbandar for its maiden foreign voyage

¨     Indian Navy's sailing vessel, INS Kondinya, flagged off from Porbandar for its maiden foreign voyage on 29 December.

¨     The maiden overseas voyage of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Kaundinya has been commenced from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman.

¨     The indigenously built traditional stitched sailing vessel was flagged off by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, in the presence of the Ambassador of Oman to India and senior naval officials.

¨     The expedition has been described by the Ministry of Defence as a historic milestone in reviving India’s ancient maritime heritage.

¨     The vessel has been constructed using traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques with natural materials dating back several centuries.

¨     INS Kaundinya has been inspired by historical sources and iconographic evidence reflecting India’s indigenous shipbuilding and navigation legacy.

¨     The voyage retraces ancient maritime routes that once connected India’s western coast with Oman for trade and cultural exchanges.

¨     The expedition is expected to further strengthen India–Oman relations through shared maritime heritage and people-to-people ties.

¨     The arrival of INS Kaundinya in Muscat will symbolise enduring friendship and historical links between Gujarat and Oman.

¨     The expedition is being led by Commander Vikas Sheoran with Commander Y. Hemant Kumar as Officer-in-Charge, supported by four officers and thirteen sailors.