NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has stated that the US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on India for purchasing Russian oil are having a “big impact” on Moscow.
According to him, the decision has prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to directly question Russian President Vladimir Putin about his strategy on Ukraine.
Rutte said:
“This tariff immediately impacts Russia because Delhi is now on the phone with Moscow, and Prime Minister Modi is asking President Putin to explain his strategy as India is now facing 50% tariffs from the United States.”
Neither New Delhi nor Moscow has officially responded to these remarks.
Background: Trump’s Tariffs on India
Last month, US President Donald Trump announced:
- 25% reciprocal tariff on India
- An additional 25% penalty for continuing to purchase Russian oil
Trump accused India of indirectly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by buying discounted crude.
This follows Trump’s broader push to use tariffs as leverage, not only against India but also urging NATO allies to impose 50–100% tariffs on China and halt oil imports from Russia.
Modi-Putin Talks Amid Tensions
- PM Modi and President Putin last spoke on September 17, 2025, during Modi’s 75th birthday call. Modi reiterated India’s support for peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
- Earlier, on September 1, the two leaders held an hour-long discussion on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China. Reports indicated Putin personally waited to travel together with Modi to their bilateral meeting venue.
India has consistently maintained that it supports dialogue and diplomacy, even as it continues purchasing oil from Russia citing energy security needs.
NATO’s Position
Trump has repeatedly pushed NATO to:
- Impose major sanctions on Russia
- Stop buying Russian oil
- Raise tariffs on China to 50–100%
He argued that continuing oil trade with Moscow weakens NATO’s negotiating position. Rutte backed Trump’s stance, saying NATO members “should stop” purchasing Russian oil to increase pressure on the Kremlin.
🇮🇳 India-US Trade Talks
Even amid tariff tensions, India and the US are pursuing trade negotiations.
- A high-level delegation led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met US officials in New York this week.
- The talks focused on a proposed bilateral trade agreement, following earlier discussions in Delhi between Indian and American negotiators.
Trump also expressed optimism about ties with India, stating:
“I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the coming weeks. I feel certain our trade negotiations will have a successful outcome.”
PM Modi responded by calling the US and India “close friends and natural partners,” and voiced confidence that talks would “unlock the limitless potential” of the bilateral partnership.
Conclusion
The latest round of Trump’s tariffs on India has opened up new geopolitical dynamics, linking trade pressure with Russia’s war in Ukraine. While NATO leaders see this as an opportunity to curb Moscow’s oil revenues, India is balancing its strategic autonomy, maintaining energy ties with Russia while strengthening economic ties with the US.
How this plays out could reshape not just India-US trade relations, but also the global power balance between Washington, Moscow, and New Delhi.
