NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Friday claimed that US-imposed tariffs on India have led Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, pressing him to explain Russia’s strategy in the ongoing Ukraine war.
Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Rutte stated, “Trump’s tariffs on India are having a big impact on Russia. 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.”
The tariffs in question were introduced by US President Donald Trump last month, imposing a 25pc reciprocal tariff on Indian imports, coupled with an additional 25pc penalty specifically targeting India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
The US administration justified these measures as an effort to deter India from buying Russian energy, which it argues indirectly fuels Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine. Trump has also urged NATO countries to impose similar tariffs on China and to reduce their purchases of Russian oil to weaken Russia’s economic position.
In response, the Indian government has strongly criticised the US tariffs as unjustified, emphasising the critical role of Russian oil imports in maintaining affordable energy supplies for India’s 1.4 billion citizens amid global supply chain disruptions. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that, unlike India, the United States and the European Union continue substantial trade with Russia without facing similar strategic imperatives, underscoring what India sees as an inconsistency in the application of trade restrictions.
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Trump has further signalled his intent to escalate pressure on Russia, stating that he is prepared to impose “major sanctions” once all NATO countries align to halt purchases of Russian oil. He argued that continued energy imports by some nations undermine the alliance’s leverage in negotiations with Moscow.
Amid these tensions, India and the US recently held trade talks in New York, led by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, to address the tariff-related disputes and explore potential resolutions. The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to navigate the economic and diplomatic fallout from the US’s protectionist measures.
As of now, neither New Delhi nor Moscow has issued an immediate response to Rutte’s claims regarding Modi’s alleged discussions with Putin. The remarks highlight the broader geopolitical implications of the US tariffs, which appear to be influencing India’s diplomatic engagements as it balances economic needs with international pressures.
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