The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday dismissed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to "explain his strategy" on Ukraine after US President Donald Trump imposed a penalty on India for buying Russian oil, calling the remark "entirely baseless".

In its statement, the ministry said it expected NATO’s leadership to act with more responsibility while making public comments and stressed that speculative remarks about "conversations that never occurred" are "unacceptable".

"We have seen the statement by NATO Secretary-General Mr Mark Rutte regarding a purported phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin. The statement is factually incorrect and entirely baseless. At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place," the ministry said in the statement.

"We expect the leadership of an important institution like NATO to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements. Speculative or careless remarks that misrepresent the Prime Minister's engagements or suggest conversations that never occurred are unacceptable," it added.

The ministry also reiterated that India’s energy import decisions are guided by national interests and economic security.

"As previously stated, India's energy imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. India will continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," it said.