In a significant development amid rising tensions in the Indian Ocean region, India has officially allowed an Iranian naval ship, the IRIS Lavan, to dock at the port of Kochi. This announcement was made by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, during his address at the Raisina Dialogue, a premier conference on geopolitics and global affairs held in New Delhi. The docking of the IRIS Lavan comes just days after another Iranian frigate, the IRIS Dena, was reportedly torpedoed by a U.S. submarine in international waters, underscoring the escalating maritime tensions in the region.
Minister Jaishankar provided a detailed account of the circumstances leading to India’s decision to grant the Iranian vessel safe harbor. He explained that on February 28, India received a communication from Iranian authorities stating that the IRIS Lavan, which was reportedly the closest Iranian ship to Indian waters at the time, was experiencing technical difficulties and requested permission to enter an Indian port for assistance. After careful consideration, India granted approval on March 1, and the vessel subsequently docked in Kochi on March 4. The ship’s crew, which includes many young cadets, were accommodated in nearby naval facilities to ensure their well-being.
Jaishankar emphasized that the original purpose of the IRIS Lavan’s deployment was to participate in an International Fleet Review, a ceremonial naval event. However, the unfolding geopolitical events and the attack on the IRIS Dena altered the situation drastically, leaving the IRIS Lavan caught in an unexpected crisis. “When this ship wanted to come in, and that too in difficulties, I think it was the humane thing to do,” Jaishankar remarked, highlighting that India’s decision was driven primarily by humanitarian considerations rather than legal or political calculations.
The minister also contrasted India’s approach with the actions taken by other Iranian vessels in the region. For instance, another Iranian ship had sought refuge in Sri Lanka, while the IRIS Dena was unable to find safe harbor after it was torpedoed. “We really approached it from the point of view of, in a sense, of humanity, other than, you know, whatever the legal issues were. And I think we did the right thing,” Jaishankar stated.
This episode was further illuminated by a report from The Indian Express on March 7, which revealed that India had also offered shelter to the IRIS Dena following the attack. The offer was made in light of the heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, reflecting India’s cautious diplomatic stance aimed at balancing regional stability and humanitarian responsibility.
The docking of the IRIS Lavan in Kochi and the broader context of these naval incidents have drawn international attention, including from neighboring countries like Sri Lanka. At the same Raisina Dialogue event, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath addressed questions about the handling of Iranian sailors who were rescued off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Herath reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to adhering strictly to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and stated that Sri Lanka would not take sides in the conflict. “Sri Lanka will act in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international law,” he said, emphasizing that his country intends to manage the situation within the framework of established legal obligations.
Beyond the immediate issue of the Iranian naval ships, Minister Jaishankar used the platform at the Raisina Dialogue to highlight broader concerns about the safety of merchant vessels navigating waters impacted by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He drew attention to the crucial role played by Indian seafarers, noting that a significant portion of the global merchant shipping workforce is Indian. “Every time there is an attack on a vessel carrying goods, it is very likely that a part of the vessel is manned by Indians,” he said, underscoring the human cost and risks involved.
Jaishankar stressed the importance of giving due attention to the welfare and safety of Indian merchant mariners, especially in light of recent fatalities. “We should give a lot of weight to this because we have had fatalities in the last few days… There has got to be adequate recognition in the country about the interest of our people, the merchant mariners and what we could be doing to safeguard them,” he asserted.
He also contextualized India’s approach to the ongoing crisis by highlighting the presence of a large Indian diaspora—estimated