Trump’s Tariffs on India Indirectly Impacting Russia, Says NATO Chief Mark Rutte

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff measures on India are having unintended consequences for Russia, by putting pressure on New Delhi’s relationship with Moscow. Speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Rutte revealed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly urging him to clarify his position on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“Trump’s tariffs on India are having a big impact on Russia,” Rutte said. “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.”

There has been no official response from either the Indian or Russian governments to Rutte’s comments.

Last month, Trump imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods and an additional 25% penalty on India’s continued imports of Russian oil. He has argued that India’s oil trade with Russia indirectly finances Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine, justifying the penalties under his “America First” economic stance.

Meanwhile, a senior Indian trade delegation, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, was recently in New York to hold discussions with U.S. officials on a proposed bilateral trade agreement. The talks come in the wake of escalating trade tensions and were described as “positive” by India’s commerce ministry. Both sides have agreed to work toward an early and mutually beneficial conclusion to the trade deal.

The talks also gained importance following the U.S. administration’s abrupt decision to raise the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000. Indian tech industry body Nasscom warned the move could disrupt business continuity for Indian IT companies managing onshore projects in the U.S.

Adding a geopolitical layer to the unfolding situation, Modi, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen in a rare moment of unity at the recent SCO Summit, sharing what has been described as a “triple handshake and huddle.” The moment drew sharp criticism from Trump, who posted on social media that the U.S. had “lost” India and Russia to “deepest and darkest China.”