New Delhi : India slams NATO chief over comments on PM Modi’s discussions with Putin, calling the statement “factually incorrect” and “entirely baseless” on Friday.
“We have seen the statement by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte regarding a purported phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. This statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless. At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation took place,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
“We expect the leadership of an important and esteemed institution like NATO to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements. Speculative or careless remarks that misrepresent the Prime Minister’s engagements or suggest conversations that never occurred are unacceptable,” he added.
Rutte spoke to CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit in New York, claiming that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India over Russian oil imports significantly affect Moscow.
The former Dutch Prime Minister suggested that amid the US move imposing 50 per cent tariffs on India, Prime Minister Modi reached out to Putin to seek clarity on his Ukraine strategy.
“This tariff immediately impacts Russia because Delhi is now on the phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Narendra Modi asks him, ‘I support you, but could you explain your strategy because the US imposed these 50 per cent tariffs on India?'” Rutte told Amanpour.
Slamming the NATO chief’s comments, the MEA reiterated that India will continue making independent decisions on energy.
“As previously stated, India’s energy imports aim to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs for the Indian consumer. India will continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” Jaiswal said.
India previously cautioned the NATO chief against showing ‘double standards’ toward countries trading with Russia.
In July, Rutte stated during his Washington visit that China, India, and Brazil could face severe economic sanctions if they continue trading with Russia.
“We have seen reports on this issue and are closely following developments. Let me reiterate that securing our people’s energy needs remains an overriding priority. In this endeavour, we rely on available markets and prevailing global circumstances. We particularly caution against any double standards on the matter,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing on July 17.
–IANS
