India on Friday, September 26, 2025, rejected as “factually incorrect and entirely baseless” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s claims of Modi Putin talk over US tariffs linked to Russian oil purchases. The remarks, aired in a CNN interview on Thursday, September 25, 2025, highlighted strains in India-US relations, with New Delhi emphasising its sovereign energy decisions in New Delhi.
In South Asia, where energy security and trade balances are pivotal amid volatile global markets, India’s rejection of these NATO allegations underscores its balancing act between Western alliances and longstanding ties with Russia. As the region’s largest economy, New Delhi’s oil imports from Moscow now at record levels help stabilise prices for millions, but they risk broader trade retaliations that could ripple through exports and inflation. This episode amplifies concerns over perceived Western double standards, potentially influencing regional forums like SAARC and India’s strategic autonomy.
India Rejects Baseless Claims on Modi Putin Talk
The controversy erupted during NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, conducted on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Rutte suggested that the recent US tariff hikes were prompting direct diplomatic pressure on Russia, stating: “This immediately impacts Russia because that means that Delhi is now on the phone with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in Moscow. And Narendra Modi asking, hey, I support you, but again, could you explain to me the strategy? Because I have now been hit by these 50 percent tariffs by the United States.”
Rutte’s comments framed the tariffs as a tool to curb funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine, noting that nations like India continuing to buy discounted Russian crude were inadvertently bolstering Moscow’s economy. He added that he agreed with US President Donald Trump that such purchases “should stop,” while praising ongoing European efforts to phase them out.
India’s response came hours later during the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing in New Delhi. Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue directly, declaring: “We have seen statement by NATO Secretary General Mr. Mark Rutte regarding a purported phone conversation between Prime Minister of India and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. This statement let me clarify 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.” Jaiswal further urged NATO’s leadership to show “greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements,” calling speculative remarks “unacceptable.”
The spokesperson also reiterated India’s position on its energy imports, explaining they are driven by the need for “predictable and affordable energy cost to the Indian consumer.” Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India has emerged as the world’s largest importer of Russian seaborne crude, with volumes rising by 10-20 per cent in recent months despite Western pressures. This has saved New Delhi billions in foreign exchange while stabilising domestic fuel prices, but it has drawn criticism from the US and its allies.
Context of US Tariffs and NATO Allegations
The tariffs in question stem from a US presidential action issued in August 2025, imposing an additional 25 per cent ad valorem duty on most Indian imports effectively doubling rates to 50 per cent for many goods as punishment for India’s Russian oil purchases. The White House proclamation, signed by President Trump, determined that such imports posed an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security, building on prior sanctions under Executive Order 14066. It took effect on September 17, 2025, at 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time, exempting only goods in transit prior to that deadline.
Trump has publicly linked the measures to broader efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, arguing that India’s oil buys worth billions annually fund Moscow’s military. In related comments, he has accused nations like India of hypocrisy, while New Delhi has countered by highlighting Western countries’ continued trade with Russia exceeding USD 100 billion last year.
NATO’s involvement adds a layer of transatlantic coordination to these NATO allegations. Rutte, who assumed the role earlier in 2025, has prioritised unity against Russian aggression, but his portrayal of a Modi-Putin talk has been seen in diplomatic circles as an overreach. A NATO spokesperson, when approached by Reuters, offered no further clarification, stating: “We have nothing further to add to what the NATO Secretary General said.”
Broader Implications for India-Russia Ties
India’s rejection of the Modi Putin talk narrative aligns with its consistent defence of bilateral engagements with Russia, including high-level summits. Prime Minister Modi last met President Putin in July 2024, ahead of a NATO summit, where discussions focused on energy cooperation and global stability without reference to third-party pressures. Officials in New Delhi have dismissed the NATO allegations as misinformed, pointing to Russia’s role as a key defence supplier, with over 60 per cent of India’s military hardware sourced from Moscow.
Yet, the episode highlights vulnerabilities in India’s trade-dependent economy. The tariffs threaten sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, potentially costing exporters USD 5-7 billion annually if unresolved. Ongoing India-US trade talks, described as “constructive” by both sides, now hinge on resolving the Russian oil issue, with Washington insisting it is “key to progress.”
Background
The US-India tariff spat traces back to the Ukraine war’s economic fallout. Russia’s oil exports to India surged post-2022, from under 1 million barrels per day to over 2 million by mid-2025, driven by discounts of up to 30 per cent below global benchmarks. This has shielded Indian refiners from volatility but irked the West, leading to secondary sanctions threats.
NATO, traditionally focused on European security, has increasingly commented on Indo-Pacific dynamics, viewing India’s Russia ties as a challenge to collective efforts against Moscow. Similar NATO allegations surfaced earlier in 2025 regarding arms deals, prompting measured Indian rebuttals.
India’s stance remains pragmatic: it abstains from UN votes condemning Russia while advocating dialogue, as reiterated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Modi Putin talk claims, if unchallenged, could erode trust in multilateral forums.
What’s Next for India Rejects Stance
As trade negotiations intensify ahead of the G20 summit, India is likely to press for tariff relief while defending its energy diversification. A forthcoming Modi-Putin interaction could test the waters, but New Delhi’s firm rejection of these NATO allegations signals no shift in its independent foreign policy. Observers anticipate clearer US signals by mid-October 2025, potentially easing or escalating the Modi Putin talk shadow over bilateral ties.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 27th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
