India, Oct. 2 -- President Vladimir Putin is set to visit New Delhi in December for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, and at a time when Russia is a crucial player in India's efforts to achieve a balance amid growing uncertainty on the global stage as well as a source of friction in India-US relations. The visit will be a timely opportunity for India and Russia to add more substance to the relationship and to seek ways to insulate it from the punitive measures imposed by the US and its western allies.

While Russia has emerged as one of the largest suppliers of energy for India, there are increasing signs that the US and the European Union (EU) intend to impose greater curbs on Russian oil exports as part of their efforts to e...