KARACHI: India is facing mounting criticism for its muted response to the sinking of an Iranian naval vessel by a US submarine in India’s backyard, a development that has sparked outrage among opposition parties and analysts.
The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, returning from the Milan 2026 International Fleet Review hosted by India, was reportedly struck by a US submarine off Sri Lanka’s southern coast on Wednesday. At least 80 crew members were confirmed dead, with scores missing or wounded, according to Sri Lankan authorities.
Former Indian navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash, reacting to the incident, wrote on X: “Sinking of Iranian warship, off southern tip of Sri Lanka, with heavy loss of life is a senseless [and] inflammatory act. Initiating another dimension of violence in this open-ended conflict, will spread alarm across the high seas and [and] disrupt global seaborne commerce. Condemnable!” Despite the gravity of the incident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to address the sinking directly. The silence has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress party. “Does India have no influence left in its own neighbourhood? Or has that space also been quietly ceded to Washington and Tel Aviv?” Congress leader Pawan Khera wrote on X.
