Putin to shock Trump; Russian President to visit India, will hold talks with Modi

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a significant decision amid growing tensions between India and the US over oil imports from Russia. National media reports indicate that Putin is scheduled to visit India on December 5 and 6, during which he is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had visited Russia in August, and while Putin’s visit to India was confirmed at that time, the exact dates were not specified. The schedule was clarified following a meeting between Modi and Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China.

Meanwhile, despite pressure from the United States, India has not stopped importing oil from Russia. After Western sanctions on Russia, the country has become one of India’s key crude oil suppliers.