Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended New Year greetings to the crew of INSV Kaundinya, who are currently on a maritime voyage, praising their enthusiasm and dedication as India prepares to welcome 2026.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Delighted to receive this picture from the team of INSV Kaundinya! Heartening to see their enthusiasm. As we are all set to usher in 2026, my special greetings to the INSV Kaundinya team, which is on the high seas. May the rest of their journey also be full of joy and success.”
INSV Kaundinya is a traditional sailing vessel inspired by depictions of ancient Indian ships found on historical seals and artefacts. The vessel has been constructed using stitched-plank shipbuilding techniques, in which wooden planks are stitched together with coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins, rather than being fastened with metal nails.
The ship is intended to highlight India’s long maritime tradition and historical seafaring links across the Indian Ocean, including trade and cultural exchange with regions such as West Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia. Its voyages are also aimed at navigation training.
The vessel was built under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy and M/s Hodi Innovations, as part of efforts to revive and preserve indigenous knowledge systems. Traditional artisans constructed the ship under the guidance of master shipwright Babu Sankaran, with research and technical support provided by the Indian Navy and academic institutions.
Named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, believed to have sailed from India to Southeast Asia in ancient times, INSV Kaundinya reflects India’s historical role as a seafaring nation.
