Port Sultan Qaboos welcomes the Indian sailing vessel Kaundinya

The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Sultanate of Oman, organised a reception for the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya at Port Sultan Qaboos.

The vessel set sail on December 29 from the port of Porbandar in the Indian state of Gujarat.

The reception, held under the auspices of Azzan Qasim Albusaidi, Tourism Undersecretary at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism , in the presence of Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of the Republic of India, aimed to strengthen further the historical ties of friendship and longstanding cooperation between Oman and India.

The visit marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India,  Relations between Oman and India are witnessing significant and growing development in various fields—particularly in economic integration, in line 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 INSV Kaundinya reflects the history that has linked Oman and India for thousands of years through the voyages of traditional sailing ships riding the monsoon winds, which have fostered the growth of commercial and social ties between them.

Commander Visas Sheoran, Skipper of the INSV Kaundinya said that the voyage from India to Oman took 17 days. He added that the ship will remain in Oman for twenty days to undergo necessary maintenance before its return voyage to India.

The voyage to Oman was the maiden voyage for Kaundinya, representing a living symbol of the shared maritime history between the two friendly nations.

The ship was constructed using slatted construction techniques, employing traditional Indian shipbuilding methods without the use of modern nails or metal fasteners. Its design is inspired by the ships that once traversed the Indian Ocean, connecting Omani ports with the west coast of India.

The event was attended by officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Royal Navy of Oman, and the Royal Oman Police.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.