Overview

• India’s foreign ministry rejected NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s assertion about a Modi–Putin call as factually incorrect and entirely baseless.
• Tariffs on Indian goods remain at roughly 50%, and New Delhi is pressing for removal of the 25% penalty tied to Russian oil purchases as part of an initial agreement.
• A senior U.S. official described structured talks as positive, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects India to slowly reduce purchases of Russian oil.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met USTR Jamieson Greer in the U.S., both sides agreed to keep negotiating, and American officials said H‑1B visa fees are on a separate track.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended long-standing ties with Russia and signaled India would keep buying Russian energy when financially viable, while hinting at higher U.S. energy imports.