India Allowed Iranian Naval Ship to Dock at Kochi on Humanitarian Grounds: S. Jaishankar

New Delhi: Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday clarified the circumstances under which an Iranian naval vessel was allowed to dock at the Kochi Port.

He said the decision was taken on humanitarian grounds after the vessel encountered difficulties near Indian waters. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, Jaishankar explained that India received a message from Iran stating that one of its ships located close to India’s maritime boundary had run into a technical issue and wanted permission to enter an Indian port.

According to the minister, India allowed the vessel to enter and stay for a few days beginning March 1. Following the approval, the Iranian ship anchored at Kochi. Jaishankar said that when the ship arrived in India, the geopolitical situation in the region was very different from what it later became.

The vessel was reportedly on its way to participate in the multinational naval exercise Exercise Milan, organised by the Indian Navy. However, due to confusion about the exact location of the event, the ship approached from a different direction before seeking assistance from Indian authorities.

Jaishankar’s remarks come amid growing international criticism and debate over the movement of Iranian naval vessels in the Indian Ocean during the ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Reports indicate that three Iranian naval ships were operating in the region during the period of conflict. One of them, the IRIS Dena, was reportedly sunk near the coast of Sri Lanka on March 4 by a US submarine while returning after participating in naval drills. The incident reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 87 Iranian sailors.

Another Iranian ship, IRIS Lavan, has been anchored at Kochi port, while the vessel IRIS Bushehr is currently stationed at Trincomalee Port in Sri Lanka after developing engine trouble.

Addressing concerns over India’s decision, Jaishankar emphasised that allowing the Iranian vessel to dock was purely a humanitarian decision and was taken in line with international maritime practices.

He noted that when ships face technical issues at sea, providing assistance is a standard and responsible action taken by coastal nations. The minister also stressed that the decision should not be interpreted through a geopolitical lens but rather as a humanitarian gesture by India.

The clarification comes as regional tensions continue to draw global attention to naval movements and security dynamics across the Indian Ocean region.

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