Export more diamonds to us, India to ask Russia

Mumbai

INDIA'S gemstone industry will hope to add some sparkle to ties between New Delhi and Moscow this week by persuading Russia to massively increase its exports of diamonds direct to the global hub of cutting and polishing.

Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to the Indian capital from Wednesday is expected to see landmark deals clinched on natural gas and nuclear power. The Russian president is also due to attend the inaugural World Diamond Conference, starting on Thursday, which aims to raise Mumbai's status as a major diamond trading centre.