India Denies NATO Secretary General's Claim of Conversation with Russian President Over US Tariffs

India has rejected as "entirely baseless" NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed the impact of US tariffs on Russian oil purchases with Russian President Vladimir Putin. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that no such conversation had taken place, and India will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. This move comes amidst renewed pressure from the US and the European Union for India to end its purchases of discounted Russian oil.

Key Takeaways:

• India has dismissed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's claim of a conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding US tariffs on Russian oil purchases as "entirely baseless".
• External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that no such conversation had taken place, and India will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.
• India's energy imports from Russia are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs for the Indian consumer, accounting for 40% of India's energy needs, up from less than 1% at the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
• The Indian side has argued that its purchases of Russian oil and military hardware are driven by national security and energy security, contradicting US officials' claims that India is profiteering from Russian energy by reselling it.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the need for countries to stop buying Russian energy, with the European Union (EU) working on this matter, despite India's justification of "double standards" in the matter.
• The EU's recent criticism of India's energy ties with Russia was also dismissed by Jaiswal, who pointed out that several leaders, including US President Donald Trump, have suggested halting energy imports from Russia.

Statistics:

• Almost 40% of India's energy needs are currently met by Russia, up from less than 1% at the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
• The US tariffs have imposed a 25% punitive tariff on India over the buying of Russian energy.
• India's purchases of Russian oil have sparked criticism from the US, with officials claiming that it is funding Russia's "war machine" by reselling Russian energy.

Sources:

• Hindustan Times
• UN General Assembly in New York
• US officials
• European Union
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
• External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal