India has refuted the claims made by NATO Chief Mark Rutte concerning a purported phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rutte’s statement suggested that Modi reached out to Putin to discuss the Ukraine conflict, reportedly prompted by pressure related to US tariffs. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, represented by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, categorically rejected Rutte’s assertions as untrue and without basis. Jaiswal affirmed that no such communication occurred between the two leaders. Furthermore, the Ministry expressed its disapproval of such pronouncements from NATO and reiterated that India’s energy import policies are guided by national interests and economic security considerations.
