(Image source from: Thestatesman.com)
Rejecting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s assertion that, following the US President Donald Trump imposing a penalty on India for purchasing Russian oil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to "clarify his strategy" regarding Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs has labeled it as "completely unfounded."
In a statement released on Friday, the ministry expressed its hope that NATO leaders would be more responsible when making such remarks and stressed that speculative comments about "conversations that never took place" are "not acceptable." "We have noted the remark made by NATO Secretary-General Mr. Mark Rutte concerning an alleged phone discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin. This assertion is factually wrong and completely unfounded. At no time has Prime Minister Modi engaged with President Putin as suggested. Such a conversation did not occur," the ministry stated.
"We anticipate that the leaders of significant organizations like NATO will show more care and precision in their public statements. Guesswork or thoughtless comments that misrepresent the Prime Minister's interactions or imply talks that did not happen are not acceptable," it continued. The Ministry of External Affairs also reaffirmed India’s position that decisions on energy imports are made with national interests and economic security in focus. "As mentioned before, India's energy imports are aimed at ensuring stable and affordable energy prices for the Indian consumer. India will persist in taking all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security," the ministry said.
During a talk with CNN at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr. Rutte, who had previously referred to Mr. Trump as "daddy," claimed that the US president’s 50% tariffs on India, which includes a 25% penalty for Russian oil purchases, were significantly affecting Moscow.
"This tariff directly influences Russia because it signifies that Delhi is now communicating with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Narendra Modi is asking him, 'I stand by you, but could you clarify your strategy for me since I have now faced these 50% tariffs from the United States'," he commented. Mr. Rutte’s remarks and India’s rejection of them occur during a time of perceived improvement in India-US relations following the strains caused by the tariffs. Earlier this month, Mr. Trump called PM Modi to congratulate him on his 75th birthday and thanked him for his endeavors to resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis, despite earlier accusations from some of his aides that India was "financing" the situation by purchasing energy from Russia. PM Modi responded by stating his commitment to elevate the India-US partnership to new levels and praised Mr. Trump’s efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine situation.
A delegation headed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also discussed trade matters with US officials in New York earlier this week, following conversations between both parties in New Delhi regarding a bilateral trade deal.
