The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly dismissed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte&rsquo;s claims about a supposed phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the remarks &ldquo;factually incorrect and entirely baseless.&rdquo;
Rutte, in an interview with CNN, suggested that Modi had urged Putin to explain his Ukraine strategy during a call, linking it to the impact of US tariffs on India. 
&ldquo;Delhi is on the phone with Putin, and Narendra Modi is asking him to explain his strategy on Ukraine because India is being hit with tariffs,&rdquo; Rutte said.
Responding at a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified, "We have seen the statements made by NATO chief Mark Rutte regarding a purported phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin."
"Let me be clear&mdash;this statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless. At no point has PM Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place.&rdquo;
He further noted that India expects leaders of respected institutions such as NATO to &ldquo;exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements.&rdquo; 
Jaiswal stressed that speculative or careless remarks misrepresenting the Prime Minister&rsquo;s engagements or suggesting non-existent conversations are &ldquo;unacceptable.&rdquo;
The controversy comes against the backdrop of heightened trade tensions after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent last month. 
The move was framed as a penalty for India&rsquo;s purchase of Russian oil.
Reaffirming India&rsquo;s position, Jaiswal said New Delhi&rsquo;s energy imports are aimed at ensuring affordable and stable energy costs for Indian consumers. 
&ldquo;India will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and economic security,&rdquo; he added.
Meanwhile, trade negotiations between India and the United States are progressing. 
A Piyush Goyal-led delegation is in New York for talks, with both sides committed to working toward an early and mutually beneficial trade agreement.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addresses press briefing

MEA calls NATO chief’s remarks on Modi-Putin call baseless, stresses no such talk occurred

India Denies NATO Claim On Modi-Putin Call

MEA calls NATO chief’s remarks on Modi-Putin call baseless, stresses no such talk occurred

September 26, 2025 | 17:34 IST