New Delhi: India on Friday firmly rejected NATO secretary general Mark Rutte’s remarks suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the impact of US tariffs on Russian oil purchases.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the claims were “factually incorrect” and “entirely baseless.”
“Statement is factually incorrect, entirely baseless. At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place,” Jaiswal told reporters.
India’s Response
Jaiswal stressed that the leadership of an institution like NATO must exercise “greater responsibility and accuracy” in making public statements.
“Speculative or careless remarks that misrepresent the Prime Minister’s engagements or suggest conversations that never occurred are unacceptable,” he added.
On energy security, Jaiswal reiterated that India’s oil imports are designed to ensure “predictable and affordable energy costs” for consumers. He emphasized that India will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national and economic security.
Background
Rutte’s remarks came in an interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where he claimed US President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Indian imports over Russian energy had prompted Modi to call Putin.
The NATO chief said the tariffs “immediately impacts Russia because that means Delhi is now on the phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Narendra Modi is asking, ‘Hey, I support you, but could you explain to me the strategy because I have now been hit by these 50% tariffs by the United States.’”
India, US, and Russian Oil
India has faced renewed pressure from the US and EU to scale down Russian oil imports, which now account for nearly 40% of India’s energy needs, up from less than 1% before the Ukraine invasion.
While the US and EU accuse India of reselling Russian crude and indirectly funding Moscow’s war effort, New Delhi insists its decisions are based on energy security and national interest.
EU Criticism Also Rejected
Jaiswal also pushed back against the EU’s criticism that India’s Russian oil purchases and joint military exercises hinder closer ties.
“On the EU comments on Russian oil, I would like to draw your attention to some of the comments made by several leaders, including Trump, that the EU, NATO and G7 countries should also look at halting energy imports from Russia,” Jaiswal said.
India Dismisses NATO Chief’s Claim On Modi-Putin Talks As “Baseless”
