Jaishankar: India Allowed Iranian Ships to Dock, Citing Humanity Amid West Asia Tensions

• EAM S Jaishankar confirmed India allowed Iranian naval vessels, including IRIS Lavan, to dock at its ports following a February 28 request, citing humanitarian reasons amid West Asia tensions.
• IRIS Lavan docked at Kochi on March 4, after India approved the request on March 1 due to technical problems, with its 183-person crew now at Indian naval facilities.
• Iran's Ambassador Mohammad Fathali expressed gratitude for India's cooperation and humanitarian approach, emphasizing the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries.
• Jaishankar previously stated at the Raisina Dialogue that allowing the ship to dock was a "humane thing to do," as the vessel was caught in rapidly evolving geopolitical circumstances.
• The incident follows reports of another Iranian vessel, IRIS Dena, being sunk, and India's MEA urged restraint and diplomacy amidst escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions in the region.