Putin for closer ties with India as he unveils new foreign policy doctrine

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a new foreign policy based on the concept of a 'Russian World'. The new policy says Russia should increase cooperation with India, China and Slavic nations. A 31-page 'humanitarian policy', says Russia should 'protect, safeguard and advance the traditions and ideals of the Russian World'. The development in Moscow comes at the backdrop of western countries increasingly putting pressure on India to take a stand against Russia on its war in Ukraine. Although India has longstanding defence ties with Russia, New Delhi has maintained that dialogue and diplomacy is the only way forward to peace in Europe.