Explained: Why Russian Oil Will Dominate Putin–Modi Talks Amid Sanctions Heat

India’s dependence on discounted Russian oil remains critical as U.S. sanctions pressure intensifies. Imports saw a slight rise in October, but are expected to fall to a three-year low in December. Against this backdrop, the most crucial agenda in the Putin–Modi meeting will be securing stable Russian oil supplies, finding sanction-proof payment and shipping routes, and protecting India’s overall energy security.