New Delhi: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said New Delhi made the “right decision” in allowing an Iranian naval vessel to dock at a southern Indian port despite rising tensions in West Asia.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Jaishankar explained that the decision was guided by humanitarian considerations rather than geopolitical calculations. The Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan docked at Kochi Port in Kerala on March 4 after requesting assistance due to technical issues.
Iranian Warship Sunk in Indian Ocean
The docking took place on the same day another Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Dena, was reportedly torpedoed by a submarine from the United States in the Indian Ocean.
The attack occurred near the waters off Galle in Sri Lanka and resulted in the deaths of at least 87 sailors on board the ship. Sri Lankan authorities later rescued surviving crew members and recovered the bodies of the deceased.
Ships “Caught on the Wrong Side of Events”
Jaishankar noted that several Iranian ships had been heading toward the region for a naval fleet review before the conflict escalated.
“They were caught on the wrong side of events,” he said, referring to the sudden outbreak of hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
According to officials, India received the request from the Iranian navy on February 28, the same day the regional conflict began. The request was cleared the following day, allowing the ship to dock a few days later.
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Crew Provided Support at Naval Facilities
Sources said the Iranian ship had reported technical problems and required urgent docking assistance. The vessel eventually arrived in Kochi with around 183 crew members, who are currently being accommodated at naval facilities in the city.
Regional Tensions Continue
The naval incidents come amid escalating military tensions in the region. US President Donald Trump has stated that weakening Iran’s naval capabilities is one of the objectives of the ongoing military campaign.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka confirmed it is providing care for several rescued Iranian sailors in line with international maritime obligations, as regional governments closely monitor developments in the Indian Ocean.