Amid US tariffs, Modi asking Putin to explain Ukraine strategy: NATO's Mark Rutte

Trump’s tariffs on India are having a big impact on Russia

NATO general secretary Mark Rutte has said that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India over purchase of Russian oil are having a “big impact” on Moscow.

Rutte claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asking Russian President Vladimir Putin to “explain his strategy” over Ukraine because “India is being hit with tariffs”.

“Trump’s tariffs on India are having a big impact on Russia. Delhi is on the phone with Putin, and Narendra Modi is asking him to explain his strategy on Ukraine because India is being hit with tariffs,” Rutte said in conversation with CNN on the sidelines of the UNGA session in New York.

There was no immediate reaction on Rutte's remarks from New Delhi or Russia.

Trump last month hit India with 25 per cent reciprocal tariff and an additional 25 per cent over purchase of Russian oil. The US President argues that New Delhi's continued purchase of oil from Russia fuels Moscow’s deadly attacks on Ukraine.

Later, he stated that India and the US are continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers.

India has been maintaining that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics.

The US remained India's largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at USD 131.84 billion (USD 86.5 billion exports).

The US accounts for about 18 per cent of India's total goods exports, 6.22 per cent in imports, and 10.73 per cent in the country's total merchandise trade.

India expects to increase energy trade with US

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said that India expects to increase its trade with the US in energy products in the years to come, and the country's energy security goals will have a significant element of US involvement.

"Clearly, the world recognises that (energy security) is one area where we all have to work together. India is a big player in the energy field... we are big importers of energy from across the world, including from the US," Goyal said in New York.