Jan 7 (Reuters) - Indian shares are likely to open little changed on Wednesday, as geopolitical tensions and tariff worries temper optimism around earnings growth, while keeping benchmark indexes close to record highs.

The Gift Nifty futures GIFc1 were trading at 26,209 points as of 7:51 a.m. IST, indicating that the Nifty 50 .NSEI would open near Tuesday's close of 26,178.70.

The 50-stock index is 0.7% below its record high, while the BSE Sensex .BSESN is 1.3% off its lifetime peak.

The benchmarks have fallen for two consecutive sessions in a pullback from near record levels, partly driven by fresh tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump over India's Russian oil purchases.

India's oil imports from Russia are expected to drop sharply in January after private refiner Reliance Industries RELI.NS said it does not expect any deliveries during the month.

Meanwhile, oil prices declined as investors assessed the supply outlook after Trump announced a deal with Venezuela under which Caracas will export up to $2 billion worth of crude to the United States.

Back home, investors will continue to track quarterly business updates, with markets anticipating a strengthening in earnings growth.

STOCKS TO WATCH

** Jeweller and watchmaker Titan TITN.NS posts 40% jump in sales for the third quarter, driven by higher gold prices and festive-season demand

** Jubilant Foodworks JUBI.NS says its consolidated revenue rose 13.4% year-on-year in the December quarter, with Domino's India logging a like-for-like growth of 5%

** Real estate company Lodha Developers LODH.NS reports 25% growth in pre-sales for the quarter ended December 31, while collections drop 17% due to one-off inflows during last year

(Reporting by Vivek Kumar M; Editing by Sumana Nandy)

((VivekKumar.M@thomsonreuters.com;))