India has firmly rejected allegations that American naval forces are using Indian ports to conduct military operations against Iran, calling the claims misleading and without evidence.
The clarification came after comments made during an interview on the US-based channel One America News Network (OAN) sparked speculation about India’s involvement in the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed the claims through its official fact-checking handle on social media platform X.
“Claims being made on OAN that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake. We caution against spreading such baseless and fabricated statements,” the MEA said in its response.
Comments That Triggered the Controversy
The remarks originated from former US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor, who claimed during the interview that the US Navy might be relying on Indian ports after losing access to certain regional facilities.
“Our bases have been destroyed and our harbour installations are damaged. We are having to rely on India and Indian ports, which is far from ideal,” Macgregor said in the broadcast.
India quickly dismissed these statements, reiterating that no such military arrangements exist.
India Focused on Safety of Citizens
While distancing itself from the claims, the Indian government emphasised that the safety of Indian nationals in the Gulf region remains its primary concern.
The MEA noted that developments in the Middle East are being closely monitored because of the large Indian diaspora living and working in the region.
Escalating Israel–Iran Conflict
The denial comes amid a rapidly expanding regional conflict. On February 28, the United States and Israel reportedly carried out coordinated airstrikes on multiple Iranian targets, including military command centres, missile sites, and air defence infrastructure.
The strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering intense retaliation from Tehran.
Iran has since launched missile and drone attacks targeting US bases and allied facilities across the Gulf, including sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The conflict has also spread into surrounding waters. In a recent incident, a US submarine reportedly sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, further intensifying tensions in the Indian Ocean region.
Impact on Global Energy and Shipping
The ongoing hostilities have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. The disruption has raised concerns over global oil and gas supplies, as a significant portion of Middle Eastern exports pass through the narrow waterway.
India, which depends heavily on energy imports from the Gulf region, is closely monitoring the situation while maintaining its neutral diplomatic position.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
