International laws and their relevance in contemporary world
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69557/zxsgrr24Keywords:
International Law, UN Charter, Article 2(4), enforcement mechanisms, realism, liberal institutionalism, Operation Midnight Hammer, Indian foreign policyAbstract
The Iranian warship Iris Dena was returning after attending Milan 2026, a flagship multinational exercise of the Indian Navy, when it was struck by American forces in the Indian Ocean. As of now, 87 people have been confirmed dead. The warship was rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy after a distress call. As per the protocol of the naval exercise, the ship was not carrying any ammunition and was therefore completely defenceless.
This blatant violation of International Law under President Donald Trump has raised the question of the relevance of International Law in the contemporary era. The incident has also highlighted a failure of Indian diplomacy and foreign policy, puncturing the notion that India is a "net security provider in the Indian Ocean," as Indian assistance was not even offered to its Iranian counterpart at the time of distress.
As global geopolitical shifts accelerate owing to changes in leadership and regimes in major world powers, the relevance of International Law remains questionable. This essay examines the subject in depth.
