Indian Ocean's Jurisdiction and IRIS Dena Sinking in International Waters

The Indian Ocean, named for India's geographic centrality, is an international body of water shared by multiple countries under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The recent sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena by a US submarine occurred about 40 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka, in waters described as international, where India holds no jurisdiction beyond its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone. Experts note this incident highlights challenges to India's regional maritime role but does not imply ownership of the entire ocean.