PM Modi Said to Ask Putin About Ukraine Strategy – NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has claimed that, under pressure from U.S. tariffs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin to request clarification on Russia’s strategy in Ukraine. Rutte made the remarks in an interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Tariff Pressure on India
Rutte argued that the 50% tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Indian goods—especially targeting imports of Russian oil—are having a significant impact on India and Russia. He suggested these tariffs have pushed India to seek a deeper understanding of Moscow’s war planning.
India and Russia Respond
So far, there has been no official confirmation from New Delhi or Moscow about such a call or request. Former Indian diplomat Kanwal Sibal criticized the claim, stating that Putin’s strategy is already well known to major powers and calling into question how Rutte could know Modi’s private conversations.
Context and Implications
The claim comes amidst escalating trade tensions between India and the U.S., with India defending its energy imports from Russia as essential to its security and economic interests. If true, India asking Putin to explain his war strategy would represent a subtle diplomatic shift, highlighting New Delhi’s delicate balancing act between Western pressure and its strategic ties with Moscow.
