NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has stirred a diplomatic storm by claiming that the steep tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Indian exports are beginning to squeeze Russia. According to Rutte, the 50% tariff burden is so significant that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow’s Ukraine strategy.
Rutte alleged that New Delhi, feeling the weight of Trump’s trade penalties, has pressed Moscow for clarity. “These tariffs immediately impact Russia because now Delhi is on the phone with Putin saying, ‘I support you, but explain your strategy, because I’m facing a 50% tariff from the U.S.’” Rutte remarked.
🔹 Trump’s Tariff War
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, President Trump has rolled out a fresh wave of reciprocal tariffs. India has been among the hardest hit:
A 25% reciprocal tariff was announced last month.
An additional 25% punitive tariff followed, targeting India’s continued imports of discounted Russian oil.
Trump accused New Delhi of indirectly aiding Moscow’s war in Ukraine through energy purchases. On September 13, he warned via his social media platform, Truth Social, that he was prepared to impose “major sanctions” on Russia unless NATO countries collectively stopped buying Russian oil.
🔹 Rutte Supports Trump’s Stand
Backing the U.S. position, Rutte said NATO countries should halt Russian oil purchases entirely. He emphasized that the tariffs were already forcing conversations that put direct pressure on the Kremlin, suggesting that Modi’s alleged demand for answers is proof of Washington’s leverage.
🔹 India Pushes Back
However, New Delhi has strongly rejected these remarks. The Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed reports of any such Modi-Putin conversation tied to tariffs as “factually incorrect and entirely baseless.” Officials stressed that India maintains its strategic autonomy in dealing with both Washington and Moscow.
🔹 The Bigger Question
While Rutte’s remarks remain disputed, one thing is clear: Trump’s aggressive tariff diplomacy is reshaping the energy and trade dynamics between India, Russia, and the West. Whether these measures truly weaken Moscow or simply strain U.S.-India ties will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
