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Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi on the 4th for a high-profile state visit.
He is set to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a summit on the 5th.
The trip marks Putin’s first visit to India since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
With Western sanctions tightening, he is expected to push for India to maintain its purchases of Russian crude oil.
India has become one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil since the conflict began.
Energy export revenue remains a crucial financial lifeline for Moscow as the war continues.
But Indian media report that local companies have recently reduced their imports of Russian crude.
The slowdown follows new U.S. sanctions imposed in October on two major Russian oil producers.
Putin and Modi are also expected to review defense ties and growing trade between the two nations.
NDTV reported that Russia may agree to loan India a nuclear-powered submarine worth about $2 billion.
