PM Modi Raises Ukraine Strategy with Putin, Flags US Tariffs: NATO Chief
PM Modi questioned Putin on Ukraine strategy and raised US tariffs on India, NATO Chief revealed during UNGA sidelines.
PM Modi Asks Putin About Ukraine Strategy and US Tariffs Impact: NATO Chief’s Remark at UNGA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again found himself at the center of global diplomacy, after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte revealed that he raised two pressing issues in his recent interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Rutte, PM Modi directly questioned Putin about his Ukraine strategy while also flagging the 50 per cent tariff imposed by the United States on India. The NATO Chief made these remarks while speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, a development that underscores India’s growing role in balancing complex geopolitical challenges.
Rutte stated that “Delhi is on phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow,” highlighting how India is maintaining open communication with Russia despite the global tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine. He further added that Prime Minister Modi was pressing Putin to “explain the strategy,” especially as India finds itself impacted by Washington’s steep tariffs. Trump-era trade policies, which doubled tariffs on Indian exports to nearly 50 per cent, remain a source of concern for New Delhi, particularly as they include a 25 per cent duty on India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
The NATO Chief also pointed out the interconnected impact of tariffs, suggesting that Trump’s hardline trade measures on India were also indirectly affecting Russia. He noted that these economic moves, combined with Washington’s efforts to restrict Moscow’s revenues from energy sales, are reshaping global trade alignments. Interestingly, his remark signals that India, caught between its longstanding strategic partnership with Russia and its expanding relations with the United States, is increasingly becoming a crucial player in discussions about both trade and security.
While NATO’s Secretary-General disclosed Modi’s diplomatic exchanges, neither Indian nor Russian officials issued an immediate response. This silence reflects New Delhi’s cautious stance in handling sensitive international matters, particularly at a time when India continues to purchase Russian crude while also strengthening its defense and economic ties with the United States.
The tariff issue, however, has already sparked sharp reactions within India. The government described Washington’s move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” calling for negotiations to resolve the trade barriers. White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro defended the decision, but his statement sparked outrage after he controversially accused India’s Brahmin community of profiteering, a remark many described as unnecessary and divisive. Despite these tensions, Washington later indicated that talks with New Delhi were ongoing to find a balanced trade arrangement.
Beyond trade, the Ukraine war remains central to international debates. Russia’s top diplomat recently accused NATO and the European Union of using Ukraine as a platform to declare a “real war” against Moscow. He made this statement at the UN just two days after Donald Trump signaled an even harsher approach toward Russia, praising Ukraine’s resistance and urging NATO allies to consider shooting down Russian jets if they violated their airspace.
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For India, the challenges are multifaceted. As a major global economy, it must protect its trade interests while avoiding sanctions that could arise from its ties with Russia. At the same time, PM Modi has positioned India as a nation advocating for dialogue and diplomacy. By directly questioning Putin about his Ukraine strategy, Modi not only asserted India’s global relevance but also demonstrated the country’s intent to play a constructive role in peacebuilding.
NATO’s disclosure about Modi’s communication with Putin comes at a critical time. The global order is shifting, trade conflicts are escalating, and the Ukraine war continues to dominate international security concerns. India’s balancing act—navigating ties with the US, Russia, and other major powers—remains a defining feature of its foreign policy. Whether Washington softens its tariff stance or Moscow recalibrates its strategy in Ukraine, one thing is clear: PM Modi is ensuring India’s voice is heard at the highest levels of global diplomacy.
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