The sinking of IRIS Dena: A quiet death of the rules-based order
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Policies of other countries affecting India· Mains·
Why in news
The sinking of the unarmed Sri Lankan vessel IRIS Dena by a US submarine (USS Charlotte) during a joint naval exercise has sparked international criticism regarding the rules-based maritime order.
Background
The IRIS Dena was an unarmed Sri Lankan vessel struck by a torpedo from the US submarine USS Charlotte. The incident occurred during a naval exercise where the US and its partners were invited participants.
Facts for Prelims
- FactIRIS Dena: An unarmed Sri Lankan vessel sunk by a torpedo.
- PostUSS Charlotte: A United States submarine involved in the sinking incident.
- PlaceSri Lanka: Nationality of the vessel IRIS Dena.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the implications of unilateral military actions during multilateral naval exercises on the maintenance of a rules-based international maritime order.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Normative erosion: Risk of normalizing collateral damage in invited multilateral naval exercises.
- Strategic trust: Impact of unilateral actions on regional maritime cooperation and trust-building.
- Legal ambiguity: Lack of clear protocols for 'lawful conduct' during joint military maneuvers.
Keywords: rules-based order · maritime security · multilateralism · naval diplomacy · sovereign integrity
More International Relations notes
- Air India suspends Dubai flights, diverts UAE services overnight to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi amid Iran vs US-Israel war · 16 March 2026
- In Brussels, Jaishankar discusses Iran with EU counterparts · 16 March 2026
- War Diary Day 17: Middle East conflict hits decisive inflection point · 16 March 2026
- Naval ships escort Indian vessels from Gulf of Oman · 16 March 2026
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticized the U.S · 16 March 2026
- As India seeks Hormuz safe passage, Tehran asks for return of seized tankers, sources say · 16 March 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.