India maritime security role questioned after United States forces sink Iranian warship in Indian Ocean

India faces scrutiny over its net security provider claims in the Indian Ocean following the destruction of an Iranian warship by U.S. forces.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 3:59 AM EST

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Diplomat

Maritime security leadership and the Iranian vessel incident

The recent sinking of the IRIS Dena, an Iranian warship, by United States forces off the coast of Sri Lanka has placed India's maritime ambitions under significant scrutiny. The vessel was returning to Iran after participating in the MILAN multilateral naval exercise and an International Fleet Review hosted by India in Visakhapatnam on February 17, 2026. Despite its stated goal of acting as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian government has maintained a silence regarding the destruction of a ship that had just been a guest in its waters. This lack of response is seen by some analysts as a potential retreat from its responsibilities to ensure the safety of all maritime actors within its sphere of influence.

Alignment with United States and Israeli military actions

Observers suggest that the current stance of the administration under Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflects a definitive shift toward the camp of the United States and Israel. This transition has been underscored by India's refusal to condemn recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, a country with which India has historically maintained a long standing partnership. By aligning closely with Western military objectives during the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran, India may be diminishing its stature among other regional powers who previously viewed New Delhi as an independent and stabilizing force in the Indian Ocean. The incident highlights a tension between India's global strategic partnerships and its local claims to maritime leadership.

Doctrine of net security and institutional commitments

India has invested heavily in establishing itself as the primary security guarantor in the Indian Ocean through various initiatives such as MAHASAGAR and the SAGAR doctrine, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. Recent infrastructure developments in Mauritius and joint training missions in the Southwest Indian Ocean were designed to cement this role. However, the inability or unwillingness to protect or even speak on behalf of a partner vessel returning from an Indian naval platform challenges the integrity of these maritime doctrines. Critics argue that a truly comprehensive maritime policy requires consistent application of security principles, regardless of the geopolitical affiliations of the pa...