“False and Misleading”: India Slams NATO Chief’s Remark on Modi-Putin Talk

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte alleged PM Narendra Modi asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to “clarify his Ukraine strategy”.

India has strongly dismissed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to “clarify his Ukraine strategy” following US President Donald Trump’s sanctions on India for buying Russian oil. The Ministry of External Affairs described the statement as “false and misleading”.

In an official release on Friday, the ministry stressed that NATO leadership should act responsibly while issuing such public remarks. It noted that speculative claims about “conversations that never took place” were not only inaccurate but also unacceptable.

“We have noted the comment made by NATO Secretary-General Mr Mark Rutte regarding a so-called phone discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin. This claim is factually wrong and entirely baseless. At no point has Prime Minister Modi held such a conversation with President Putin in the manner described. No such dialogue has ever happened,” the statement clarified.

The ministry further highlighted that NATO, as a major international body, carries the responsibility to ensure accuracy in its statements. “We expect leaders of significant institutions like NATO to show more responsibility in their public communication. Reckless or speculative remarks that misrepresent the Prime Minister’s interactions or suggest dialogues that never occurred are unacceptable,” it added.

Reiterating India’s consistent position on energy, the Ministry of External Affairs underlined that its import choices are guided by national interests and the protection of economic security.

“As repeatedly stated, India’s energy imports are aimed at guaranteeing affordable and predictable energy supplies for Indian consumers. India will continue to adopt all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic stability,” the statement reaffirmed.

During an interaction with CNN on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr Rutte, who previously referred to Mr Trump as “daddy”, claimed that the US President’s 50% tariffs on India — including a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil — were creating a “major 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 said.