BANDAR ABBAS, Iran (Diya TV) — Three Indian warships arrived at the port city of Bandar Abbas in Iran at a time when tensions are running high in the Middle East. The First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy-INS Tir, INS Shardul and Indian Coast Guard Ship Veera-arrived in Iran as part of the long-range training deployment in the Persian Gulf. The visit demonstrates India’s commitment to maritime ties with Iran, at a time when the gulf region is witnessing growing tension between Israel and Iran.
This deployment comes in the wake of renewed hostilities, notably as a result of a missile strike by Israel at Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Iran’s response has been a series of ballistic missile launches that continues to compound the geopolitical landscape. Beyond these regional challenges lies India’s send off to its warships to Iran, signaling the country’s intention to maintain strong diplomatic engagement and military engagement with the key nations in the Gulf to protect strategic interests in the region.
The warships received a ceremonial welcome at Bandar Abbas, where an Iranian naval vessel will escort them. During the visit, Indian and Iranian navies are to have a series of professional exchanges, cross-training activities, and a maritime partnership exercise. These interactions look to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the two countries for achieving enhanced understanding between their forces.
India’s relationship with Iran has, over time, been an exercise in delicate balancing between diplomacy, trade, and security. While India nurtures warm relations with Israel, it still maintains its energy security by ascending to the tier of critical oil and gas suppliers through engagement with Iran. The naval visit does unmistakably point out the thrust of India within complex regional dynamics amidst the reinforcement of long-standing policy of non-alignment and strategic autonomy.
Earlier this year, Iranian naval ships had also docked in Mumbai. Meanwhile, military cooperation continues between the two countries with regular joint exercises and training. Such a voyage is another example of the growing ties between the two defense institutions.
With tensions remaining high in the Middle East, the docking of Indian warships at Iran’s ports better reflects the pragmatic face of New Delhi’s foreign policy: seeking an upward trajectory by pragmatically approaching diplomacy and defense cooperation, as well as balancing relationships with various regional powers.
