In today's episode of India Ascends, Russian President Vladimir Putin remained defiant on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions to pressure the Kremlin leader to end the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate virtually in the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, ruling out a possible meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and indicating New Delhi and Washington may not be close to sealing a trade deal. NDTV's Gaurie Dwivedi brings the latest.