INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy's first stitched sailing vessel, set off on its maiden overseas voyage to Oman on Monday, December 29, 2025. The ship departed from Porbandar in Gujarat, heading for Muscat. This journey retraces the ancient maritime routes that once linked India with the Indian Ocean region. Unlike modern ships, INSV Kaundinya uses wooden planks stitched together with coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins. This traditional technique reflects a rich shipbuilding heritage that helped Indian sailors voyage long distances to West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia centuries before modern navigation tools existed, according to the Defence Ministry. The vessel is based on a 5th century CE ship seen in Ajanta Caves paintings. Construction began in September 2023 with a team of Kerala artisans led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran. They meticulously stitched the hull using coir rope and natural resin. The ship was launched in February 2025 in Goa and formally inducted by the Navy on May 21 at the Karwar Naval base in Karnataka. This project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, aiming to revive India’s ancient maritime knowledge and craftsmanship. The design was carefully recreated from two-dimensional art, using a unique mix of archaeology, naval engineering, and traditional skills. INSV Kaundinya carries several symbolic features. Its sails show motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, the bow has a carved Simha Yali, and the deck includes a Harappan-style stone anchor. Named after the ancient Indian mariner Kaundinya, who sailed to Southeast Asia, the ship embodies India’s rich history of maritime exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.