India says NATO chief's remarks about Modi-Putin talks are 'baseless'

India dismissed as "incorrect and baseless" claims made by NATO’s Secretary General suggesting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the impact of punitive U.S. tariffs on India’s purchases of Russian oil.

India's foreign ministry labelled the remarks as speculative, stating on Friday that no such conversation had taken place.

In an interview with CNN, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Indian imports to 50%—due to India’s Russian oil purchases—had led to a conversation between Modi and Putin.

Rutte suggested that Modi had asked Putin, "Hey, I support you, but could you explain to me the strategy because I have now been hit by 50% tariffs by the United States?"

"This statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless," said Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a regular briefing.

"At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place."

When asked for a response, a NATO spokesperson stated: "We have nothing further to add to what the NATO Secretary General said."

India has capitalised on discounts in Russian oil to become the largest buyer of Russian seaborne crude since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who is working to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict, has argued that India’s oil imports are indirectly supporting Moscow’s war efforts.

India, however, has defended its purchases of Russian oil, claiming they have helped stabilise global markets, and criticised the West for its double standards, pointing out that the European Union and the U.S. continue to buy Russian goods worth billions of dollars.

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