India, March 8 -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India's decision to allow the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan to dock in Kochi was guided by humanitarian considerations, even as the development coincided with rising tensions in regional waters.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue during a session titled "Heart of the Seas: The Future of the Indian Ocean," Jaishankar explained that the Iranian ship had sought emergency access to an Indian port after reporting technical difficulties while operating close to India's maritime boundaries.

"We felt it was the humane thing to do," Jaishankar said, referring to New Delhi's decision to permit the vessel to dock. He noted that the ship had originally been scheduled to arrive in India f...