S Jaishankar Calls IRIS Dena Sinking an “Unfortunate Incident” at Raisina Dialogue

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has clarified India’s position after the reported sinking of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena in international waters of the Indian Ocean.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue on Saturday, Jaishankar described the incident as “unfortunate” and stressed that India responded to the situation with a humanitarian approach by allowing another Iranian vessel to dock in Kochi.

The Iranian ship IRIS Lavan, which had participated in naval events in India, was permitted to enter an Indian port after it reported technical problems.

India Allowed Iranian Ship to Dock in Kochi

Jaishankar revealed that Iran had contacted India shortly before the IRIS Dena incident. The request was regarding IRIS Lavan, which was facing technical difficulties while sailing in the region.

According to the minister, the Iranian side sent a message on February 28 requesting permission for the ship to enter an Indian port. India approved the request on March 1.

The vessel eventually reached the port in Kochi, where its 183 crew members disembarked and were accommodated at nearby naval facilities.

Jaishankar explained that many of the crew were young cadets who had travelled to India for naval events and were caught in an unexpected situation after tensions escalated in the region.

He said India decided to act based on humanitarian principles.

“When the ship asked to come into our port due to difficulties, we felt it was the humane thing to do. We approached the situation from the perspective of humanity,” Jaishankar said.

Fleet Review Visit Turned Into Crisis

Both Iranian vessels had travelled to the region to participate in the International Fleet Review and the multinational naval exercise MILAN 2026.

The event was held between February 15 and February 25 and involved naval ships from several countries.

However, the situation changed dramatically after the alleged sinking of IRIS Dena while it was sailing south of Sri Lanka.

Following a distress signal received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Colombo, search and rescue operations were launched with support from the Indian Navy.

India deployed a long-range maritime patrol aircraft to assist the rescue efforts led by Sri Lankan authorities.

Jaishankar on Strategic Reality of the Indian Ocean

During his address, Jaishankar also spoke about the broader geopolitical dynamics of the Indian Ocean.

He pointed out that the region has long hosted foreign military bases and strategic infrastructure. He cited examples such as the military facility on Diego Garcia and the development of the port at Hambantota.

According to him, these developments reflect the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and the complex realities countries must deal with.

Jaishankar emphasised that India has invested heavily in diplomacy and regional development to strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean nations.

He said India’s economic rise could benefit neighbouring countries that work closely with it.

Concern Over Safety of Merchant Ships

The minister also highlighted concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in conflict-prone waters.

He noted that many merchant vessels around the world are operated by Indian sailors. As a result, attacks on cargo ships directly affect Indian citizens.

Jaishankar warned that recent incidents had already resulted in casualties among seafarers.

He said India must pay greater attention to the safety of merchant mariners and to the millions of Indians living in Gulf countries.

According to him, India’s policies in the region will continue to balance humanitarian considerations, economic interests and the security of its citizens.

The External Affairs Minister concluded that India’s rise and influence in the Indian Ocean region will ultimately depend on its own strength and long-term strategic investments.