Entirely baseless: MEA rejects NATO boss remarks on Modi-Putin talk

India on Friday rejected the claims made by Mark Rutte, secretary-general of the western military alliance Nato, that tariffs imposed by the US led to India asking Russia to explain its Ukraine war strategy as "factually incorrect and entirely baseless". The Ministry of External Affairs said no such talks took place, and asked the Nato chief to exercise caution in the future. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also reiterated India's stand that its energy import decisions are made keeping national interests and economic security in mind.

VIDEO | Addressing a presser, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarifies, "We have seen statement by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte regarding a purported phone conversation between Prime Minister of India and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. This statement...is factually… pic.twitter.com/WleVIpjwXv

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 26, 2025

Speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York, Mr Rutte, who had earlier called Trump "daddy", had claimed the US president's 50% tariffs on India - including a 25% penalty for buying Russian oil - were having a "big impact" on Moscow. "This (tariff) immediately impacts Russia because that means Delhi is now on the phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Narendra Modi is asking him, 'I support you, but could you explain your strategy to me because I have now been hit by these 50% tariffs by the United States'," he said.

Jaiswal highlighted that 2,417 Indian nationals have been deported or repatriated from the United States since January 2025. During the weekly media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's firm stance against illegal migration, emphasising commitment to promoting legal pathways for migration. He stated that India aims to encourage legal migration, discouraging illegal activities that undermine these efforts. He added that the government verifies nationality and takes back individuals without legal status upon receiving proper documentation."The government of India has been working very closely with state governments to crack down on people who are promoting illegal migration... We are raising awareness about legal migration. We've also been issuing regular advisories for our nationals to stay away from the kind of employment opportunities that are being offered in South Asia, he said.