India on Friday, September 26, 2025, unequivocally labeled as “entirely baseless” the recent remarks by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Mr. Rutte had suggested that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin to inquire about Russia’s strategy in Ukraine, allegedly due to the significant impact of Washington’s punitive tariffs on India.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, firmly stated that any “speculative or careless” comments that misrepresent Prime Minister Modi’s interactions or fabricate conversations that never occurred are simply “unacceptable.”
Mr. Rutte had conveyed to CNN, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, his belief that U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India were significantly affecting Russia, and that India was consequently engaging with Putin. “And Narendra Modi is asking him to explain his strategy on Ukraine because India is being hit with tariffs,” Rutte had claimed.
In a press briefing, Mr. Jaiswal clarified that the NATO chief’s statement was “factually incorrect and entirely baseless.” He asserted, “At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place.”
“We expect the leadership of an important institution like NATO to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements,” Jaiswal added, underscoring the gravity of such unverified claims.
Furthermore, Mr. Jaiswal clarified that India’s energy imports are aimed at ensuring stable and affordable energy costs for its citizens. He affirmed, “India will continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.”