New Delhi, March 5: The Indian National Congress (INC) has expressed deep concern over the attack on the Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean. This incident resulted in the deaths of at least 87 Iranian sailors, with several others still missing.
The Congress party has labeled this attack as a serious threat to regional security, which has now reached India’s doorstep. In a statement, the Congress noted that the IRIS Dena had participated in the International Fleet Review and MILAN 2026 exercises in India until February 25, 2026. The ship and its crew were special guests of India and were unprotected at the time of the attack, violating established protocols.
According to Articles 95 and 96 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which India has ratified, the vessel was entitled to sovereign immunity in open waters. It was situated far from any active conflict zone. Therefore, the attack does not meet the self-defense criteria outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, which requires proportionality, necessity, and clear accountability.
The statement emphasized that India has historically been a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Since 2008, the Indian Navy has deployed over 100 warships for anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, escorting more than 3,400 merchant vessels.
Internationally, India is regarded as the ‘first responder’ and a preferred security partner in the IOR. India’s record in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) has been exemplary, with operations during the 2004 tsunami, Operation Brahma in Myanmar, and Operation Sagar Bandhu in Sri Lanka reinforcing India’s maritime leadership.
The Congress party has questioned the silence of the BJP government, suggesting it indicates a neglect of India’s naval responsibilities. This silence, they argue, limits India’s operational footprint and legitimizes foreign interference in its strategic backyard, undermining India’s legitimate interests. The government’s inaction poses a threat to the trust in India’s naval capabilities and track record, potentially impacting future exercises, intelligence sharing, anti-piracy efforts, and HADR operations.
The Congress asserted that India’s operational footprint and commitment to international law should not be confined to the 12 nautical miles of coastal waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). India must firmly assert its interests in the Indian Ocean and ensure that its hard-earned position does not slip into the hands of others.
–
SC
Leave a Comment