Highlights:
- Mark Rutte claims Trump’s tariffs on Indian goods are hurting Russia.
- India reportedly seeking clarity from Putin on Ukraine strategy after tariff impact.
- Trump accuses India of funding Moscow’s war through oil purchases.
- Modi and Putin last spoke on September 17, reiterating peaceful resolution support.
- India-US trade talks ongoing, with both sides optimistic about a new trade deal.
The chief of NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said that US President Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs on Indian goods are having a 'huge impact' on Russia. He suggested that the tariffs, which include a 25 per cent reciprocal duty and an additional 25 per cent penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil, have prompted New Delhi to pressure Moscow for clarity on the Ukraine war.
Speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, Rutte stated, “This immediately impacts Russia because Delhi is now on the phone with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Prime Minister Modi is asking him, ‘I support you, but could you explain your strategy? I have now been hit by these 50 per cent tariffs by the United States."
There has been no official response from either New Delhi or Moscow regarding Rutte’s remarks. PM Modi last spoke with President Putin on September 17, his 75th birthday, where he reiterated India’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict. Earlier this month, the two leaders shared a private conversation while travelling together to a bilateral meeting after the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China.
Trump, since returning to power in January, has imposed reciprocal tariffs on multiple countries and accused India of indirectly supporting Russia’s war efforts by purchasing oil. He has also urged NATO members to impose tariffs of 50–100 per cent on China and to halt the purchase of Russian oil as part of efforts to pressure Moscow.
Meanwhile, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal led a delegation for trade talks with US officials in New York this week. The discussions come ahead of a scheduled conversation between Trump and Modi, with both leaders expressing optimism about concluding a mutually beneficial trade agreement soon.
