New Delhi on Friday rejected remarks by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who claimed that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil were forcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to clarify his Ukraine strategy.

“NATO chief’s statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless. We expect the leadership of an important institution like NATO to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements,” MEA said in a statement.

Speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Rutte said Trump’s tariffs on Indian goods 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 Mosco

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