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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India soon, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval said on Thursday. Doval, who is in Moscow, did not specify the dates, but Interfax news agency reported it's likely to take place later this year.

India and Russia stressed their commitment to a "strategic partnership" during bilateral security talks in Moscow, held a day after US President Donald Trump announced higher tariffs on Indian imports in response to India's continued purchases of Russian oil.