• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

India on Friday strongly rejected NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sought an explanation from Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow’s Ukraine war strategy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the comments “factually incorrect and entirely baseless,” urging the NATO leadership to exercise greater caution before making such remarks in public.

MEA Counters Rutte’s Claim

“At no point has Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoken with President Vladimir Putin in the manner suggested by NATO chief Mark Rutte,” the MEA said. “His statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless.”

The ministry went further to stress that India’s diplomatic conversations with global leaders are handled with responsibility and never mischaracterised. “We expect leadership of an important institution like NATO to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements,” it added.

Earlier this week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reportedly suggested that US tariff policies had indirectly pushed India to seek clarity from Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. According to him, Prime Minister Modi had pressed President Putin to explain Russia’s approach to the ongoing war. The assertion drew immediate attention in international media circles, prompting New Delhi to issue a rare categorical denial. Officials said the narrative was not only misleading but also undermined India’s independent position on global conflicts.

India’s Position On Ukraine

India’s rebuttal reflects its broader approach of maintaining strategic autonomy in foreign policy. India has consistently balanced ties with Russia, a longstanding defence partner, while simultaneously strengthening relations with the United States and European nations.

Prime Minister Modi has conveyed directly to President Putin on multiple occasions, including during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand in September 2022, that “today’s era is not of war.”

New Delhi has also emphasised humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, having dispatched several consignments of relief materials, including medicines, equipment, and essential supplies. However, Indian officials clarified that these efforts were part of its broader independent foreign policy and not influenced by Western or NATO pressures.

ALSO READ: 'Could You Explain Your Ukraine Strategy As I Am Facing 50% Tariffs': NATO Chief Claims PM Modi Told Putin Over Phone

Concluding its statement, the MEA stressed that inaccurate comments by senior international figures risk distorting diplomatic exchanges and creating avoidable confusion. “India values its partnerships with all major stakeholders, including the United States, Russia, and European nations. But we reject mischaracterisation of our independent diplomacy,” the ministry said.

ALSO READ: Trump Slams Europe For Buying Russian Oil, Calls For Stronger NATO Action:' Don't Want Them To...'

With tensions over Ukraine continuing to dominate global discourse, New Delhi’s strong rebuttal highlights its intent to protect the credibility of its foreign policy decisions and shield them from external misinterpretations.