Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal condemned the recent US attack on the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which was returning from a naval exercise hosted by India. The incident, which took place 40 nautical miles off the city of Galle in Sri Lanka, reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 87 individuals. The attack raises concerns about international maritime norms, particularly given that the ship was unarmed and was part of a routine exercise. Sibal pointed out that the US should have been aware of the ship's presence and suggested that the attack was unnecessary and provocative.

Sibal's comments came in the context of a significant rescue operation carried out by the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force, supported by the Indian Navy, where they managed to save 32 sailors from the sunken frigate. This incident underscores the precarious balance of power in the region, especially in the wake of tensions surrounding naval exercises involving various nations. The circumstances of the attack, with Sibal noting that the US could have chosen a different time to act, highlights questions about the motivations behind US military engagements in maritime conflicts.

Moreover, the implications of this attack extend beyond immediate loss of life, as it could potentially aggravate US-Iran relations further and affect geopolitical stability in the Indian Ocean region. The criticism from a prominent Indian figure like Sibal indicates a growing unease regarding the US's assertive military actions and their impacts on international partnerships and maritime security.