India slammed Nato chief Mark Rutte for claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the matter.
India on Friday rejected outright the claims made by Mark Rutte, secretary-general of the western military alliance Nato, that tariffs imposed by the US led to India asking Russia to explain its Ukraine war strategy as “factually incorrect and entirely baseless”. In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs said no such talks took place, and asked the Nato chief to exercise caution in the future.
“We have seen the statement by Nato Secretary-General Mr Mark Rutte regarding a purported phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin. The statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless. At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place,” the official statement released by MEA said.
Speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Rutte had said that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India were having a big impact on Russia. He said Delhi was on the phone with Putin, and Narendra Modi was asking him to explain his strategy on Ukraine because India was being hit with tariffs.
Urging Rutte to exercise caution, India said it hoped that the Nato chief would be more responsible with his public statements.
“We expect the leadership of an important institution like Nato to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements. Speculative or careless remarks that misrepresent the Prime Minister’s engagements or suggest conversations that never occurred are unacceptable,” the MEA stressed.
“As previously stated, India’s energy imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. India will continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the government added.
THE INDIA-US TARIFF TUSSLE
Last month, US President Donald Trump announced a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods and an additional 25% penalty targeting India’s imports of Russian oil. Washington said the move was aimed at discouraging India from buying Russian energy, arguing that such purchases indirectly help finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Trump has also urged Nato members to align on reducing Russian oil imports and to impose similar tariffs on China.
India, however, has criticised the measures as unjustified. The Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that Russian oil is crucial to ensuring affordable energy for India’s 1.4 billion citizens at a time of global supply disruptions. Officials have also pointed out that the European Union and many Nato members continue significant trade with Russia without the same compulsions India faces.
Trump has hinted at “major sanctions” against Russia if Nato members coordinate a full stop on Russian oil purchases, saying partial compliance only weakens the alliance’s position.
