A US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lankas coast, killing at least 87 sailors and raising alarms across South Asia. In an exclusive NDTV interview, Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa cautioned that the incident spells trouble not just for Colombo, but for India too, as Middle East tensions creep into regional waters.

The IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class vessel with 180 crew aboard, was struck by a single Mark 48 torpedo from a US Navy submarine in international waters, roughly 40 nautical miles off Sri Lankas southern tip. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike, marking the first enemy ship sunk by torpedo since World War II. Sri Lankas navy has recovered bodies and rescued 32 survivors, with search efforts ongoing. The frigate was returning from Indias MILAN 2026 naval drills in Visakhapatnam, linking the event to broader US-Israel operations against Irans fleet amid the Israel-Iran conflict.

This is a serious concern for Sri Lanka, the Indian Ocean region, and India as well, Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, told NDTV. He demanded answers on whether Sri Lankan authorities were pre-notified: If they knew, why hide it from Parliament? If not, how does this occur in our backyard? Rajapaksa urged India and South Asian neighbors to collaborate on maritime security, stressing that global powers distant wars now threaten local stability.

New Delhi swiftly dismissed rumors of allowing US access to its ports as baseless, but the event spotlights vulnerabilities in the Indian Ocean trade corridor. Any escalation could disrupt oil shipments, echoing Houthi attacks that inflated global shipping costs by 300% in recent years – a scenario Mumbai and Chennai cant ignore. With Chinas influence via Hambantota port looming large, India may ramp up patrols under its SAGAR initiative while pushing diplomatic restraint. As Iran weighs retaliation and rescues conclude, South Asia braces for fallout from this underwater clash. Regional leaders hope dialogue douses the flames before they spread.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.