Russian lenders Gazprombank and Alfa Bank have applied for clearance to operate in India, according to four sources familiar with the matter, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Deputy CEO of Gazprombank Dmitry Zauers that the company should partner with billionaire entrepreneur and the current head of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk to develop technology.

News.az presents an interview with Igor Yushkov, the Leading Analyst of the National Energy Security Fund and an Expert at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

Editor's note: Pavel Klachkov is a Russian political scientist, a Director of the branch of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. The article expresses the personal opinion of the author and may not coincide with the view of News.Az.

The United States imposed new sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank on Thursday, the Treasury Department announced, as President Biden intensifies measures against Moscow ahead of his departure in January, News.az reports citing Reuters.