A top government official on Friday categorically dismissed claims that India helped the US Navy in providing intelligence or location of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena which was hit on March 4 off the coast of Sri Lanka.The official said these claims were ‘preposterous’ and ‘baseless’ and these need to be rejected outrightly.The official also said there was no such help given to the US authorities or the US military or the US Navy with regards to its targeting the Iranian warship. A US submarine had hit the ship on March 4.The official said the logistics and communication agreements do not kick in automatically and these have not been evoked.Separately, top sources told the Tribune that ‘speculative commentary’ on Defence agreements signed between India and the US over the past few days had been noted. “We advice against such speculative reporting and commentary especially on sensitive matters,” the source added.New Delhi, on its part does not want to be seen taking sides, in the conflict between its civilisational partner Iran and its strategic partners Israel and the US.In 2016, India and the US inked the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), facilitating a pact enabling reciprocal, case-by-case logistical support (refuelling, supplies and repair) between India and the US, strictly for agreed-upon activities like exercises and port calls.However, it does not mean anything is automatic and does not obligate access, requiring mutual consent for each instance, preserving strategic autonomy. The LEMOA is not an automatic, binding agreement to provide support and it does not lock India into a military alliance or force compliance with the US’ military operations.The two nations also signed the India-US Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018. It facilitates the transfer of high-end, encrypted communication equipment from the US to India. It too is not automatic; and does not mandate, oblige or guarantee immediate supply of technology or logistical support. COMCASA allows the Indian forces to use secure, encrypted data links and communication systems on the US-supplied platforms.According to the sources, the agreements between India and the US don’t kick in automatically and a request, if any, is handled on a case-to-case basis.