U.S. submarine sinks Iranian frigate near Sri Lanka, killing 180, sparking Indian political backlash over foreign policy and security.

On March 3, 2026, a U.S. submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in international waters near Sri Lanka during the Milan 2026 naval exercise, killing around 180 people and stranding Indian vessels and sailors in the Gulf of Hormuz. India has remained silent, prompting sharp criticism from opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, who accused Prime Minister Modi of abandoning strategic autonomy and failing to protect national interests. The incident, the first U.S. submarine attack on a warship since WWII, raised concerns over India’s role as a regional maritime guardian, energy security, and the safety of over one crore Indians in the Gulf, with critics questioning evacuation plans and India’s foreign policy credibility.