India Refutes NATO Chief's Claims About Modi-Putin Conversation on Ukraine Strategy

The Ministry of External Affairs stated it expects NATO leadership to demonstrate more responsibility.

New Delhi:

Dismissing NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to "explain his strategy" on Ukraine after US President Donald Trump imposed penalties on India for purchasing Russian oil, the Ministry of External Affairs has declared these claims "entirely baseless".

In an official statement released Friday, the ministry emphasized that it expects NATO leadership to exercise greater responsibility when making such statements and stressed that speculative remarks about "conversations that never occurred" are "unacceptable".

"We have reviewed NATO Secretary-General Mr. Mark Rutte's statement regarding an alleged phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin. The statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless. Prime Minister Modi has not spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested at any point. No such conversation has taken place," the ministry stated.

"We expect the leadership of an important institution like NATO to demonstrate greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements. Speculative or careless remarks misrepresenting the Prime Minister's engagements or suggesting conversations that never occurred are unacceptable," the statement continued.

The Ministry of External Affairs also reaffirmed India's position that its energy import decisions are made with national interests and economic security as primary considerations.

"As previously stated, India's energy imports are intended to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs for Indian consumers. India will continue implementing all necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security," the ministry declared.

During an interview with CNN on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr. Rutte, who had previously referred to Mr. Trump as "daddy," claimed the US president's 50% tariffs on India - including a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil - were having a "significant impact" on Moscow.

"This (tariff) immediately impacts Russia because that means Delhi is now on the phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Narendra Modi is asking him, 'I support you, but could you explain your strategy to me because I have now been hit by these 50% tariffs by the United States'," he stated.

India-US Talks

Mr. Rutte's comments and India's subsequent rejection come amid an apparent improvement in India-US relations following tensions that emerged after the implementation of the tariffs. Mr. Trump recently called PM Modi to extend birthday wishes on his 75th birthday and expressed gratitude for his efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which some Trump administration officials had previously accused India of "funding" through its Russian energy purchases.

PM Modi responded by expressing his commitment to elevating the India-US partnership to new heights and praised Mr. Trump's efforts toward achieving a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.

A delegation led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also conducted trade discussions with US officials in New York earlier this week, following previous talks between the two nations in New Delhi regarding a bilateral trade agreement.