NATO chief Mark Rutte says PM Narendra Modi is urging Russian President Putin to explain his strategy on Ukraine amid ongoing global diplomatic efforts.
India Denies NATO Chief’s Allegation Regarding PM-Putin Conversation as “Entirely Baseless”
According to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Russian President Vladimir Putin is being asked to “explain his strategy on Ukraine” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India Denies NATO Chief’s Allegation Regarding PM-Putin Conversation as “Entirely Baseless”
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that it anticipates greater accountability from NATO’s leadership.
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 penalized India for purchasing Russian oil has been deemed “entirely baseless” by the Ministry of External Affairs.
In a statement released Friday, the ministry also emphasized that speculative comments regarding “conversations that never occurred” are “unacceptable” and stated that it wants NATO leadership to be more responsible when making such claims.
“We have noticed the remark made by Mr. Mark Rutte, the Secretary-General of NATO, about a rumored phone call between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement is completely unfounded and factually false. Prime Minister Modi has never communicated with President Putin in the way that has been indicated. The ministry maintained in the statement that no such discussion had occurred.
“We anticipate that the leadership of a significant organization such as NATO will make more accurate and responsible public remarks. “It is unacceptable to make speculative or irresponsible statements that misrepresent the Prime Minister’s engagements or imply conversations that never took place,” the statement continued.
The Ministry of External Affairs also reaffirmed India’s position that economic security and national interests are taken into consideration while making choices about energy imports.
“As said earlier, the goal of India’s energy imports is to guarantee that Indian consumers would always have predictable and reasonably priced energy expenditures. India will keep doing all it takes to protect its economic security and national interests,” the statement stated.
Speaking to CNN on the margins of the UN General Assembly session in New York, Mr. Rutte, who has previously referred to Mr. Trump as “daddy,” asserted that Moscow was being “bigly impacted” by the US president’s 50% tariffs on India, which include a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil.
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‘I support you, but could you explain your approach to me since I have now been hit by these 50% tariffs by the United States,’ Narendra Modi asked, referring to the fact that Delhi is currently speaking with Vladimir Putin in Moscow over the phone. This tax has an immediate effect on Russia, he continued.
US-India Discussions
Mr. Rutte’s remarks, which India rejected, coincide with what is thought to be a thaw in India-US relations following the tensions that arose when the tariffs were imposed. Earlier this month, Mr. Trump called Prime Minister Modi to wish him a happy 75th birthday and to express gratitude for his efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which some of his aides had previously accused India of “funding” by buying Russian energy.
In response, PM Modi praised Mr. Trump’s efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the Ukraine issue and stated his commitment to advancing the India-US alliance.