Cat's paw action?

The Indian Coast Guard's seizure of three tankers carrying Iranian oil is a first for New Delhi.

- Ashwin Ahmad

Diplomats say that while more details are needed of the government action, some questions come to light. One senior diplomat pointed out, shadow or dark fleets normally operate in 200 nautical miles which is considered international waters, to avoid being nabbed. Why then did these tankers seemingly move beyond that into India’s territorial waters? Were they heading for India?

The diplomat pointed out that the tweet by the Coast Guard announcing the interdictions made no mention of whether it was a stateless vessel. A stateless vessel is one where a ship hides its registration and flies multiple flags during a voyage. Seizing stateless vessels is acceptable under international law, and India would have mentioned it if that had been the case.