India has strongly rejected NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte&rsquo;s remarks suggesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to explain his Ukraine strategy after US tariffs on Indian oil imports. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the claim &ldquo;factually incorrect and entirely baseless.&rdquo;
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, &ldquo;We have seen the statement regarding a purported phone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin. The statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless. At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place.&rdquo;
The ministry further stressed that it expects the leadership of an institution like NATO to show &ldquo;greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements.&rdquo; Jaiswal added, &ldquo;Speculative or careless remarks that misrepresent the Prime Minister&rsquo;s engagements or suggest conversations that never occurred are unacceptable.&rdquo;
India reiterated that its energy imports are guided by national interest and consumer welfare. &ldquo;India&rsquo;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,&rdquo; the MEA said.
Prime Minister Modi and President Putin last spoke on September 17, Modi&rsquo;s 75th birthday, where Modi reiterated India&rsquo;s &ldquo;full support for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.&rdquo;

India Rejects NATO Chief’s Modi-Putin Claim

MEA slams NATO chief’s claim, says Modi-Putin call on oil tariffs “never happened”

India Rejects NATO Chief’s Modi-Putin Claim

MEA slams NATO chief’s claim, says Modi-Putin call on oil tariffs “never happened”

September 27, 2025 | 09:29 IST