Signing a contract with popular ruler (6)

I believe the answer is:

inking

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'signing a contract' is the definition.
'inking' can be an answer for 'signing' (inking is a kind of signing). I'm unsure of the 'a contract' bit.

'with popular ruler' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'ruler' becomes 'king' (king is a kind of ruler).
'in'+'king' is 'INKING'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inking that I've seen before include "Blackening" , "Wetting type for printing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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