As West Asian conflicts simmer, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spotlighted a compassionate choice: allowing stricken Iranian frigate IRIS Lavan to berth at Kochi. His remarks at Raisina Dialogue 2026’s finale in New Delhi reframed the episode.
Iran’s navy reached out after IRIS Lavan developed faults post-International Fleet Review participation. The ship, part of a regional deployment with IRIS Dena and IRIS Bushehr for MILAN 2026 (February 15-25) in Visakhapatnam, veered to Kochi.
The appeal came days before IRIS Dena’s doom off Sri Lanka. India, informed of troubles on February 28, nodded approval by March 1. The vessel docked, its 183 crew safe in naval quarters.
Jaishankar narrated: ‘Message from Iran: ship nearest our waters in distress wants in—Feb 28. March 1 go-ahead; they took time but made Kochi, cadets aboard, housed close by.’
Labeling it ‘a humanitarian act,’ he noted the fleet’s pre-crisis naval camaraderie turned sour.
IRIS Dena’s March 4 fate was grim: torpedoed by US sub in global commons, 40nm south of Galle. 87 dead, 32 rescued per Sri Lanka; US confirmed.
‘Parallel off Sri Lanka; their decision, ours humanitarian beyond law. Proper call,’ Jaishankar stated.
Dismissing social media hype on IOR: ‘Outrage central, but Diego Garcia’s 50-year fixture; Djibouti from century’s dawn. Face ocean facts.’
This move bolsters India’s humanitarian credentials in strategic waters.