Mystery Iran ship drops anchor off Lakshadweep

Indias territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from the coast; the EEZ extends till 200 nautical miles. India has exclusive right to resources in the EEZ,but cannot interfere with commercial ships in this zone.

It is possible that the ship has suffered major engine breakdown. But it is behaving unusually secretively,and has not sought any help from India,the closest naval power. The smaller boats visiting the ship have not communicated with India either.

A ship called Assa is listed as property of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines IRISL,an entity under US sanctions. That ship was among 123 IRISL-owned vessels sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2010.

In May,the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that the Yemeni navy had driven out an Iranian ship by the name Asa after it made a stopover off the Yemeni port of Lahj. The report said that the Yemeni navy had tried to communicate with the captain and,having failed,sent out naval boats which led to the ship leaving the area.

The Indian Navy spokesperson declined to comment on the ships presence in Indias EEZ. The matter has not been officially taken up with Iran because there has been no technical violation yet. New Delhi is keen to ensure a diplomatic incident is not triggered.