India, March 11 -- "Whoever rules the waves rules the world"- Alfred Thayer Mahan

The sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka has sent ripples far beyond the Indian Ocean. It is not merely a military incident; it is a stark reminder that the world's oceans urgently require a stronger rule-based order. When warships clash near busy maritime corridors, the stakes extend beyond geopolitics to global trade, maritime security and international law.

On 4 March 2026, the Iranian warship was torpedoed by a US submarine in waters close to Sri Lanka while returning from naval exercises hosted by India. The vessel had recently participated in a multinational naval event and was sailing back when the attack occurred roughly 40 nauti...