India allows 3 Iranian Naval Ships to dock amid Indian Ocean tensions

In a significant diplomatic and humanitarian gesture, India granted permission for three Iranian naval ships to dock at its ports, following a request from Tehran, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament on Monday.

The IRIS LAVAN , an Iranian frigate, was the first of these vessels to dock at Kochi Port on March 4 . The approval for docking was accorded on March 1 , after Iran made its formal request on February 28 . Jaishankar clarified that the ships are military vessels flying the Iranian flag , not commercial ships, and that the crews are currently accommodated at Indian naval facilities .

This move comes amid rising tensions in the Indian Ocean region following the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena by a US submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka on March 4. At least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack. Another Iranian naval vessel, IRINS Bushehr , was allowed to dock at Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee Port due to engine failure while returning from joint exercises, highlighting the vulnerability of regional maritime traffic.

Jaishankar described India’s decision to allow docking as a “humane gesture” , noting that the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for India’s support during this tense period.

The External Affairs Minister also underscored India’s commitment to energy security , stressing that global supply disruptions due to the West Asia conflict are being closely monitored. “The government remains fully committed to ensuring energy availability, costs, and risks are managed, with the interests of Indian consumers as the overriding priority,” he said. Indian diplomatic efforts are supporting energy enterprises navigating the volatile situation in the region.

The incident reflects growing concern over the extension of West Asia tensions into the Indian Ocean , and India’s proactive role in balancing humanitarian considerations with strategic and energy interests.