ISLAMABAD: Claims regarding growing naval cooperation between the United States and India have gained attention following remarks by former US Army colonel and defence adviser Douglas Macgregor, who suggested that the US Navy may be increasingly relying on Indian ports for docking and logistical support amid escalating tensions with Iran.
In a recent interview with One America News Network, Macgregor argued that growing security risks to American military installations in the Persian Gulf have prompted Washington to diversify its logistical routes, potentially turning to Indian facilities as part of broader operational planning.
The comments quickly circulated across social media platforms, particularly in South Asia, sparking debate about whether the US is shifting elements of its military logistics away from traditional Gulf bases.
However, New Delhi rejected the claims. In a statement shared on X, the Ministry of External Affairs’s fact-checking handle said reports suggesting that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy for operational purposes are “baseless and fabricated.”Official defence cooperation between the United States and India has expanded in recent years through strategic frameworks such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which focuses primarily on maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region rather than involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Several US Navy vessels have made port calls in India in recent years for maintenance and logistical purposes. These include visits by the USNS Charles Drew in 2022 and 2023, as well as the USS Frank Cable in August 2025. These visits took place under Master Ship Repair Agreements with Indian companies such as Larsen & Toubro, enabling routine maintenance and technical support.
India continues to emphasise its policy of strategic autonomy, maintaining diplomatic and economic relations with multiple global actors, including the United States, Russia and Iran.
Despite Western sanctions on Tehran, India remains engaged with Iran through infrastructure cooperation, particularly the development of the Chabahar Port, which is viewed as a key regional trade corridor.
Indian officials have not directly addressed Macgregor’s specific remarks. Analysts note that occasional port visits or repair arrangements should not be interpreted as the establishment of forward operating bases or permanent logistical hubs.
From a regional perspective, the discussion has drawn attention in Pakistan, which shares borders with both India and Iran and maintains diplomatic ties with Tehran. Strategic observers in Pakistan say Islamabad is closely monitoring evolving security alignments in the region.
Experts in Pakistan emphasise the importance of diplomatic engagement and regional stability, arguing that South Asia should avoid becoming entangled in external geopolitical rivalries.
Analysts also point out that US efforts to diversify logistics routes come amid security challenges in key maritime corridors such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where disruptions to commercial shipping have raised concerns about global trade flows.
Nevertheless, long-standing American military hubs in the Middle East—including bases in Bahrain, Diego Garcia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates—continue to play a central role in US regional operations.
