India Refutes Allegations of Aiding US Naval Strikes

The Indian Government has issued a robust and unequivocal denial following allegations that its sovereign ports are being utilised as operational springboards for United States naval strikes against Iran. The controversy erupted following comments made by a high-profile American military analyst, prompting New Delhi to clarify its stance amidst the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Indian Ocean.

The Denial of Logistical Support

On Wednesday, 4 March, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released an official statement dismissing the claims as “utterly baseless and fabricated.” The diplomatic firestorm was ignited by Colonel Douglas Macgregor, a former advisor to the US Secretary of Defence, during an interview with the right-wing broadcaster One America News Network (OANN). Macgregor suggested that the US Navy might be leveraging Indian maritime infrastructure to facilitate its ongoing offensive, known as “Operation Epic Fury,” against Iranian targets.

Responding to these assertions, the MEA spokesperson stated:

“The claims broadcast regarding the use of Indian ports by US military forces are false and malicious. We urge international observers and media outlets to exercise extreme caution against such unfounded rhetoric, which serves only to misinform the public.”

A Tense Maritime Context

The timing of these allegations is particularly sensitive. Earlier on Wednesday, an Iranian warship was reportedly intercepted and sunk by a US submarine while transiting through the waters off the coast of Sri Lanka. Preliminary reports suggest that the Iranian vessel was returning from a naval exercise and had recently passed through the vicinity of the Indian maritime zone.

Incident Overview: Maritime Escalation (4 March 2026)

New Delhi’s Strategic Autonomy

India’s refusal to grant port access for offensive operations highlights its long-standing policy of “Strategic Autonomy.” While New Delhi has deepened its security partnership with Washington through the Quad and various bilateral foundational agreements, it has historically avoided entanglement in direct Western military interventions in the Middle East.

Analysts suggest that any Indian involvement—logistical or otherwise—in the strikes against Tehran would jeopardise its massive energy interests and the safety of millions of Indian expatriates working across the Gulf. Furthermore, India’s involvement in the development of the Chabahar Port in Iran remains a cornerstone of its regional connectivity strategy, making a military alignment against Iran a diplomatic impossibility.

The Risks of Misinformation

The proliferation of such reports in Western media is viewed by New Delhi as an attempt to pressure the Indian government into a more overt pro-Western alignment. However, the MEA’s swift response underscores that, for the time being, India intends to remain a neutral observer in the escalating conflict, focusing its efforts on maritime safety and the protection of global trade routes rather than participating in active hostilities.