External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday defended India’s decision to allow an Iranian naval vessel to dock in Kochi, saying the ship had been “caught on the wrong side of events” as tensions escalated in West Asia. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, Jaishankar said India received a request from Iran about a naval vessel reporting technical problems and seeking entry into an Indian port. New Delhi granted permission on March 1, and the ship docked in Kochi a few days later.
The minister noted that the Iranian ships—IRIS Dena, IRIS Lavan and IRIS Bushehr—had originally come to India to participate in the MILAN 2026 naval exercise and the International Fleet Review hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam earlier in February. Jaishankar said the regional situation changed dramatically after the vessels had already set sail, adding that many young cadets were on board and India’s response was guided by humanitarian considerations.
Referring to the sinking of the frigate IRIS Dena, Jaishankar said the ship was struck by a torpedo fired from a US submarine near the coast of Galle in Sri Lanka while returning from the exercise. According to reports, 87 bodies were recovered and 32 sailors were rescued after the incident. Jaishankar also addressed broader discussions about security in the Indian Ocean, mentioning strategic locations such as Diego Garcia, Djibouti and Hambantota Port while emphasising the complex geopolitical realities of the region.