PM Modi Asked Putin About Ukraine Strategy, Flagged US Tariffs: NATO Chief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin about his strategy in Ukraine and flagged the impact of the 50% tariff imposed on India by the United States, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has claimed . In an interview with CNN on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Rutte suggested that the steep US tariffs, which were partly a response to India’s purchase of Russian oil, are having a “big impact on Russia” and prompting direct conversations between New Delhi and Moscow .

“Delhi is on phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow,” the NATO chief was quoted as saying. He claimed that PM Modi is asking Putin to “explain the strategy,” linking India’s engagement directly to the economic pressure from Washington . There has been no immediate official reaction from either India or Russia regarding Rutte’s statement.

The comments come amid a period of significant trade friction between India and the US. The Trump administration recently doubled tariffs on many Indian goods to 50%, citing India’s continued energy trade with Russia as a key reason . The move, which included an additional 25% duty over India’s purchase of Russian crude, was described by New Delhi as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” . The situation was further inflamed by controversial remarks from White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, who accused India’s Brahmin community of “profiteering at the expense of the Indian people” .

Rutte’s assertion paints a picture of a complex diplomatic triangle where US economic pressure on India is indirectly creating leverage on Russia. The statement was made in the broader context of tense exchanges at the UN, where Russia’s top diplomat accused NATO of using Ukraine to wage a “real war” against his country, and President Trump signalled a tougher stance against Moscow