The Trump administration, which crippled Russia’s oil sales to India with sanctions, will be watching Mr. Putin’s talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

When Vladimir Putin’s plane touches down in New Delhi this week, he will be met with the pomp and ceremony reserved for one of India’s most steadfast partners. Yet his host, Prime Narendra Modi, is simultaneously forging a deep strategic relationship with a key global rival: the United States.

Russian President Vladimir Putin began his nearly 27-hour visit to India on Thursday night, marking a major moment in the nearly 8-decade-old India–Russia partnership amid rising global tensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received Putin at New Delhi’s Palam Airport with a hug after a four-year gap,

Russian President Vladimir Putin said India has the right to purchase Russian energy. Putin said criticism of India’s Russian oil imports is unfair, noting that the US still purchases nuclear fuel from Russia.

India plans to advance fresh proposals for more S-400 units and Russia’s Sukhoi-57 fighters during Putin’s December 4-5 visit, with the focus on long-term defence cooperation.