As the US–Iran conflict spills across the Gulf and into the wider Indian Ocean, its strategic consequences are beginning to test the foundations of the India–US defence partnership. Agreements such as LEMOA, designed to enhance interoperability, now sit at the intersection of operational utility and political sensitivity. Can India operationalise these arrangements without compromising its strategic autonomy?
The escalation of the US–Iran conflict has created significant geopolitical ripple effects extending beyond West Asia, well into the Indian Ocean Region. The conflict has intensified with attacks on US forces and installations across the region, along with disruptions to maritime traffic, with severe implications for the countries whose main energy artery runs through the Strait of Hormuz. This crisis has direct implications for the US–India strategic partnership, especially the military logistics cooperation agreements, which are now subject to both operational relevance and political sensitivities. At the same time, recent remarks by India’s External Affairs Minister have highlighted concerns regarding the vulnerability of the region and the broader implications of the conflict for regional security and India’s strategic autonomy.