President Vladimir Putin on Thursday claimed that India was supporting Russia now — an apparent reference to the conflict with Ukraine -- as it had in the past.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was steadfast in his goal of becoming “an icebreaker”, and asserted that India would have “a growing role in global policies”.

Officially, India has refused to pick sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has remained engaged with both countries. Further, India has taken advantage of the Russian offer of discounted oil and expressed an intent to deepen the longstanding bilateral relationship despite western pressure to scale down its engagement with Moscow.

Asked at the Annual Valdai Club Discussion about the role he expected India to play in a post-hegemonic world, Putin said: “We have special relations with India that are built on the foundation of really close relations for decades. We have never had any outstanding issues with India. We have always supported each other. That’s what’s happening now. I’m positive that’s how it will remain in the future as well.”

Putin was appreciative of India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“Prime Minister Modi is one of the individuals in the world who is able to pursue an independent foreign policy in the interest of his country, his people, without any attempts to stop him,” he said.

“He continues going towards his goal as an icebreaker…. Countries such as India not only have a great future ahead of them, but they are going to have a growing role in global policies.”

Putin said that economic cooperation between India and Russia was growing, and cited the example of the fertiliser trade. “Trade is growing in general but as an example, Prime Minister Modi asked me to increase fertiliser supplies which is crucial for Indian agriculture,” he said.

“And we have done that —by 7.6 times we have increased fertiliser supplies… We almost doubled the trade turnover in agriculture trade. We continue to cooperate in military technical area.”