Overview
On 4 March 2026, a US submarine torpedoed the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka, outside Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary. The vessel had just returned from the International Fleet Review and MILAN‑2026, a multilateral naval exercise organised by the Indian Navy. The incident brings into focus the legal framework governing the seas, especially the UNCLOS and newer instruments such as the High Seas Treaty.
Key Developments
- US submarine action raises questions on the applicability of law of naval warfare and whether a warship is a legitimate target.
- India, a signatory to UNCLOS, had ratified it in 1995, while the US remains a non‑signatory.
- The incident occurred in waters beyond Sri Lanka’s Territorial Sea, highlighting the relevance of the EEZ and high‑seas regime.
- India’s participation in the High Seas Treaty (signed on 25 Sept 2024) underscores its commitment to global ocean governance.
Important Maritime Instruments
UNCLOS defines the legal status of maritime zones:
- Territorial Sea: full sovereignty for the coastal state.
- EEZ: exclusive rights over natural resources.
- High seas (beyond EEZs) are open to all states for navigation, overflight, fishing, scientific research, and laying of under‑sea cables.
Other key conventions:
- SOLAS: ensures safety of merchant vessels; India is a signatory.
- MARPOL: tackles ship‑borne pollution; India is a signatory.
- Ballast Water Management Convention: India has not yet ratified.
UPSC Relevance
Understanding maritime law is essential for GS 2 (International Relations) and GS 1 (Geography). Questions on UNCLOS, EEZ demarcation, and the High Seas Treaty have featured in recent UPSC papers. The US‑Iran naval incident can be used to test knowledge of the law of naval warfare and the distinction between peacetime and wartime maritime regimes.
Way Forward
- India should expedite ratification of the Ballast Water Management Convention to strengthen its marine environmental credentials.
- Active participation in the implementation of the High Seas Treaty—especially in designating marine protected areas and conducting environmental impact assessments—will enhance India’s standing in global ocean governance.
- Regular monitoring of naval exercises like MILAN‑2026 can provide practical insights into the application of maritime law during peacetime collaborations.