The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Ministry of Culture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Stitched Ship Project, marking the launch of INSV Kaundinya, a traditional wooden sailing vessel built without modern welding or riveting.
The project seeks to revive India’s ancient maritime craftsmanship and celebrate the nation’s rich seafaring heritage. Under the MoU, the Indian Navy will be responsible for the ship’s maintenance, operations, crew manning, and voyage planning.
Later this year, INSV Kaundinya is scheduled to sail to Oman, retracing millennia-old trade and cultural routes across the Indian Ocean. The expedition aims to showcase India’s maritime legacy, strengthen cultural ties, and inspire interest in traditional shipbuilding techniques.
The initiative reflects a unique collaboration between defence and cultural institutions, blending heritage preservation with operational expertise, while highlighting India’s enduring relationship with the seas.
