In a striking display of compassion amid regional volatility, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defended the government’s approval for an Iranian navy ship to dock at Kochi port. The revelation came during his address at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi on its final day.
Jaishankar explained that IRIS Lavan, an Iranian frigate, faced severe technical issues while on deployment in the area. Having just wrapped up participation in the International Fleet Review, the ship sought refuge closest to Indian waters.
The request from Iran arrived well before the tragic sinking of sister ship IRIS Dena near Sri Lankan shores. IRIS Lavan was deployed alongside IRIS Dena and IRIS Bushehr for the prestigious MILAN 2026 multinational naval exercise and fleet review in Visakhapatnam from February 15-25.
India greenlit the docking on March 1 after confirming the technical distress reported on February 28. The vessel made its way to Kochi shortly after, with all 183 crew members safely accommodated at local naval facilities.
Quoting the minister: ‘The Iranians messaged us about a ship nearest to our border wanting port access due to troubles. On Feb 28, we got the call; by March 1, permission was granted. It took time, but they docked in Kochi with young cadets aboard, now staying nearby.’
Jaishankar framed it as a straightforward act of humanity: ‘When they sought help for IRIS Lavan, we responded with a humanitarian approach. They came for the fleet review and got caught in unfortunate circumstances.’
The backdrop includes the devastating loss of IRIS Dena, torpedoed by a US submarine in international waters on March 4, roughly 40 nautical miles off Galle. Of its crew, 32 survived, but 87 bodies were retrieved, as per Sri Lankan reports, with US confirmation following.
Jaishankar drew a line: ‘Sri Lanka faced a parallel scenario with another vessel and decided accordingly, but one couldn’t make it. We prioritized humanity over legalities—I believe that was correct.’
He also tackled online frenzy over Indian Ocean strategies, cautioning against hype: ‘Social media thrives on outrage and extremes. Remember, Diego Garcia’s presence spans 50 years; foreign bases in Djibouti date back two decades. Grasp the Indian Ocean’s true dynamics.’
This episode underscores India’s balanced foreign policy, favoring life-saving gestures in a sea of conflicts, reinforcing its role as a responsible maritime power.