ISLAMABAD: A former senior adviser to the US secretary of defence has claimed that the United States Navy is increasingly relying on Indian ports for docking and logistics support as tensions with Iran escalate.
Retired US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor made the remarks during a recent interview with One America News Network, suggesting that rising security risks to American bases in the Gulf were prompting Washington to look toward Indian facilities for operational support.
According to Macgregor, threats to US military installations in the Gulf region have encouraged the navy to diversify its logistical routes, with Indian ports being used for docking and unloading operations. His comments have sparked debate on social media, particularly across South Asia, about what some observers see as a possible shift in US naval logistics away from traditional bases in the Persian Gulf.
However, official defence cooperation between the United States and India has largely focused on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific under initiatives such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), rather than direct involvement in conflicts in the Middle East.
Recent examples of cooperation include port visits by US naval vessels such as the USNS Charles Drew in 2022 and 2023 and the USS Frank Cable in August 2025. These visits took place under Master Ship Repair Agreements with Indian companies including Larsen & Toubro, enabling routine repair and maintenance work at facilities near Chennai.
India continues to pursue a policy of strategic autonomy, balancing relations with multiple global powers including the United States, Russia and Iran.
New Delhi also maintains cooperation with Tehran on infrastructure projects such as the Chabahar Port, despite Western sanctions.
Indian authorities have not issued an official response to Macgregor’s remarks, while analysts note that routine port calls differ significantly from establishing forward operating bases for military operations.
From a regional perspective, the claims have raised questions about possible implications for South Asian stability. Pakistan, which borders both India and Iran and maintains diplomatic ties with Tehran, is closely monitoring developments.
Pakistani analysts have stressed the importance of avoiding alignment in external conflicts and have called for diplomatic engagement to reduce tensions in the region.
Experts also point out that Washington has been diversifying its logistical options as part of broader efforts to mitigate risks in strategic maritime corridors such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where disruptions to shipping have already affected global trade.
Despite these developments, long-standing US military hubs in the region — including bases in Bahrain, Diego Garcia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates — continue to play a central role in American operations in the Middle East.