MEA rejects NATO chief's Modi-Putin call remark

NEW DELHI: India on Friday dismissed as "entirely baseless" NATO secretary general Mark Rutte's contention that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the impact of US tariffs over the country's Russian oil purchases and said it will take all steps to safeguard its economic security.

- Rezaul H Laskar [e-mail]

External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal brushed aside Rutte's remarks in a recent interview that focused on the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs and punitive measures aimed at ending Ukraine war. Rutte claimed that a 25% punitive tariff on India over the buying of Russian energy had prompted Modi to speak with Putin on the matter.

"We have seen the statement by NATO secretary general Mr Mark Rutte regarding a purported phone conversation between PM Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin," Jaiswal told a media briefing. "The 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." India expects the leadership of an important institution such as NATO to exercise "greater responsibility and accuracy" in public statements, Jaiswal said.