NEW DELHI — Russian President Vladimir Putin challenged heavy U.S. pressure on India not to buy Russian fuel if the U.S. could do so as he began a two-day state visit, where he was embraced on arrival by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi .

Putin spoke in comments to Indian broadcaster India Today, aired hours after landing in New Delhi for a visit during which both countries are seeking to increase mutual trade and expand the variety of items in transactions.

Putin‘s first visit to India in four years aims to increase sales of Russian oil, missile systems and fighter jets and widen business links beyond energy and defense equipment, amid U.S. pressure on India to shun Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine .

New Delhi and Moscow have strong ties going back to the days of the form

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