New Delhi, Sept 26 — India on Friday rejected remarks made by NATO’s top leadership claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine conflict, while also defending New Delhi’s energy imports from Moscow amid U.S. pressure.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the NATO statement “factually incorrect and entirely baseless.” He said, “At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place.”
The response came after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in an interview with CNN on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, alleged that Modi had called Putin to seek clarity on Russia’s strategy in Ukraine. Rutte linked his claim to U.S. tariffs, saying, “Trump’s tariffs on India are having a big impact on Russia. Delhi is on the phone with Putin, and Modi is asking him to explain his strategy on Ukraine because India is being hit with tariffs.”
Jaiswal dismissed those remarks as speculative and irresponsible. “We expect the leadership of an important institution like NATO to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements. Speculative or careless remarks that misrepresent the Prime Minister’s engagements or suggest conversations that never occurred are unacceptable,” he said.
Separately, Jaiswal defended India’s purchase of Russian energy despite U.S. concerns, saying the imports were aimed at protecting consumers at home. “India’s energy imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. India will continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” he noted.
India has repeatedly argued that its energy policy is guided by national interest, even as Western nations urge New Delhi to reduce reliance on Russian supplies in the wake of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
