New Delhi: As Russia grapples with a floundering sanctions-hit economy, India Friday set the tempo for Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day India visit next week, saying that it has clearly spelt out that it "cannot be party" to any economic sanctions against its old friend.

Putin is visiting India Dec 10-11 for the 15th Annual India-Russia Summit during which he would hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Dec 11.