India has allowed the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan to dock at Kochi after Tehran sought assistance following the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka earlier this week, government officials confirmed.
The 183-member crew of IRIS Lavan has been accommodated at Indian naval facilities in Kochi, providing humanitarian support amid rising tensions in the region.
Docking Approved After Iranian Request
According to officials, Iran approached India on February 28 requesting permission for IRIS Lavan, an amphibious warfare vessel, to dock at Kochi due to technical issues. Approval was granted on March 1, and the vessel arrived at the southern naval port on March 4.
IRIS Lavan had been operating in the region after participating in India’s International Fleet Review held earlier this year.
Incident Follows Sinking of IRIS Dena
The development comes shortly after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine near the coast of Sri Lanka, about 19 nautical miles offshore. Reports indicate that 87 sailors were killed in the attack, marking a major escalation in the ongoing US–Iran conflict.
Regional Humanitarian Response
In a related development, Sri Lanka allowed another Iranian vessel, IRIS Booshehr, to take shelter in its waters due to engine problems. The ship’s 208 crew members were accommodated at a Sri Lankan naval facility, with plans to move the vessel to Trincomalee harbour.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described the move as a humanitarian obligation in line with international maritime conventions.
Strategic Balancing by India
The crisis has raised concerns across the Indian Ocean region about the widening scope of the US–Iran conflict and its potential impact on maritime trade routes.
Officials familiar with the matter said India’s response reflects a pragmatic approach aimed at balancing relations with both Iran and the United States, two countries that are important to India’s strategic and economic interests.
India maintains long-standing civilisational ties with Iran while also sharing strong strategic partnerships with the United States, particularly in areas such as defence and Indo-Pacific security.
Energy Security Concerns
The developments come at a time when the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly half of India’s oil imports pass, faces potential disruption due to the escalating conflict.
Analysts say India is closely monitoring the situation, as any prolonged instability in the region could impact global energy markets and maritime commerce in the Indian Ocean.
