MEA Denies Reports Of PM Modi Contacting Putin Over Ukraine Strategy

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has rejected claims made by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to U.S. tariffs on Indian imports.

In an official statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described Rutte's remarks as "factually incorrect," "entirely baseless," and "careless and speculative." Jaiswal clarified that Prime Minister Modi has not spoken to President Putin in the manner suggested by the NATO chief and urged leaders of major international organizations to exercise greater responsibility in their public statements.

Earlier, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, NATO Chief Rutte had claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump's punitive tariffs on India were affecting Russia. He suggested that these measures led to a scenario where "Delhi is now on the phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Narendra Modi is asking him to explain his strategy on Ukraine."

The MEA's rebuttal highlights India's commitment to an independent and responsible foreign policy, emphasizing that its diplomatic decisions are not influenced by external speculation. The statement also reaffirms India's stance on handling sensitive international matters without yielding to misrepresentations or unfounded narratives.

This clarification comes amid heightened global attention on India's trade relations and diplomatic engagements, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict and evolving India-U.S.-Russia dynamics.