India Confirms: At Iran's Request, Allows Three Iranian Vessels to Dock at Indian Ports, Some Crew Members Accommodated in Indian Naval Facilities

[Global Network Report, Reporter Jiang Ailing] The recent sinking of an Iranian warship by a U.S. submarine near the waters of Sri Lanka has drawn attention from the outside world. According to reports from Reuters and the Hindustan Times, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated on March 9 that Iran had requested India to allow three of its vessels to dock at Indian ports, and the Indian side approved this request on March 1.

Jaishankar revealed this information at a meeting that day, stating that the Indian government believes this was the "right thing to do." He also mentioned that one of the three vessels had docked at the southern Indian port of Kochi on March 4, and the crew is currently being accommodated at Indian Navy facilities.

Previously, an Indian government source told Reuters that on the same day the Iranian frigate "Dena" was attacked by a U.S. submarine (March 4), the Indian side allowed another Iranian warship, the "Ravan," to dock at the southern Indian port of Kochi at Iran's urgent request. Jaishankar confirmed this information on March 7, stating, "I believe we indeed approached this matter from a humanitarian perspective, rather than a legal one. I think we did the right thing."