The Indian Navy's cruiser INS Tarkash swiftly responded to an emergency at sea by aiding an Iranian dhow and its crew off the coast of Somalia, demonstrating India's dedication to maritime security and regional cooperation. The ship, which had sent out a distress call, was struggling with a shortage of drinking water, and one crew member was injured due to rough weather.

The crew of INS Tarkash quickly repaired the faulty Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant on the dhow, ensuring safe drinking water for everyone onboard. At the same time, the ship’s medical team provided first aid to an injured sailor, stabilising his condition. This mission is part of the Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to maintain maritime safety in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), highlighting India’s commitment to security and humanitarian assistance at sea. India and Iran have a strong relationship that dates back centuries, built on shared history and culture. 

These deep connections continue to shape their diplomatic and cultural ties, supported by regular high-level meetings and cooperation in trade, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. Since its establishment in 2013, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) has played a vital role in strengthening these cultural bonds. Tourism also remains an important link between the two nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Iran in 2016 significantly improved bilateral ties and both countries signed the Trilateral Agreement on Trade, Transport, and Transit with Afghanistan and released the joint statement "Civilisational Connect, Contemporary Context."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's 2018 visit to India resulted in a mutually agreed declaration, "Towards Prosperity Through Greater Connectivity," which further strengthened ties. Trade is an important part of this partnership, with India being one of Iran’s top five trading partners. India mainly exports rice, medicines and electrical machines to Iran, while Iran supplies dry fruits, chemicals, and glassware to India. INS Tarkash's help to the Iranian dhow highlights India's commitment to regional stability. It shows that the strong partnership between India and Iran goes beyond diplomacy and extends to real-world cooperation at sea.