India Allowed Iranian Ship IRIS Lavan to Dock in Kochi on Humanitarian Grounds: Jaishankar

S. Jaishankar said India permitted the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan to dock at Kochi on humanitarian grounds after it reported technical issues while sailing amid rising tensions in West Asia. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, the External Affairs Minister said the ship requested assistance on March 1 and India decided to allow it to berth as a humanitarian gesture.

Jaishankar explained that the vessel was carrying 183 crew members, including several young naval cadets, and had encountered a technical problem during its journey. The ship had originally been heading to participate in a naval exercise but became caught in rapidly escalating regional tensions. He noted that allowing the vessel to dock was “the humane thing to do”.

The minister’s remarks came shortly after a IRIS Dena warship was reportedly sunk by a US submarine near Sri Lanka on March 4, resulting in the deaths of more than 80 sailors. Another Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr, also sought assistance from Sri Lanka following the incident. India has maintained a neutral stance in the escalating tensions, urging restraint and dialogue among the parties involved.

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