Does India own the Indian Ocean? Sinking of IRIS Dena raises questions on India’s maritime influence

The Indian Ocean, named after India, holds significant strategic and economic importance. But how much control does India truly have over these waters? Recent events, such as the US Navy’s sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, have stirred debates about India’s maritime jurisdiction. The incident, which occurred in international waters just off Sri Lanka’s coast, raised questions about India’s role in this vital ocean space. India’s maritime Reach: How much sea/ocean does India actually have? India’s maritime jurisdiction is defined by its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends 200 nautical miles from its coastline and covers around 2.3 million…