NEW DELHI – India on Friday rejected North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte's claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Russia to explain its strategy on Ukraine after the United States imposed a penalty on India for buying Russian oil.

India's Foreign Ministry termed the NATO chief's claim "factually incorrect and entirely baseless" and said it expects the leadership of NATO to be more responsible while making such statements.

"At no point has Prime Minister Modi spoken with President Putin in the manner suggested. No such conversation has taken place," India's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing.

“We expect the leadership of an important and esteemed institution like NATO to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements.”

Jaiswal also reiterated India's stand that its energy import decisions were made keeping national interests and economic security in mind.

A row over tariffs is underway between India and the US as Washington slapped New Delhi with 50 percent tariffs – 25 percent for its high tariffs and a 25 percent penalty for buying Russian oil.

India has described the imposition of tariffs as "unjustified" and "unreasonable.”