India's equity benchmarks are set to open higher on Friday, after last session's steep intraday losses, on optimism that a proposed U.S.-Russia presidential meeting next week could ease Washington's stance on India's energy engagement with Russia.

In a strategic move following the U.S. tariff hike on Indian goods, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. This meeting underscores the geopolitical tensions and economic strategies at play,