India and Russia are likely to finalize a labour‑mobility agreement during the annual summit in New Delhi this year, coinciding with the probable visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The proposed pact aims to secure rights for Indian nationals working in Russia, as well as streamline the deployment of an increasing number. It is designed not only to protect workers' legal status, facilitate repatriation, and ensure their welfare, but also to expand the presence of Indian professionals in Russia in the years to come.
Russia faces severe labour shortages in key sectors such as heavy industry, machinery, and electronics. Russian companies have already shown interest in hiring Indian workers to fill gaps in these highly skilled jobs.
India hopes the agreement will create a structured path for its workforce to work abroad in a safe and regulated framework. The deal satisfies both parties: Russia receives skilled manpower, while India gains additional employment opportunities for its citizens.
Key aspects of the agreement include quotas and frameworks for Indian nationals in Russia, with assurance of their rights and conditions for return. The deal is likely to enhance the presence of Indian professionals abroad, particularly in sectors such as machinery and electronics.
This goes beyond the traditional sectors of construction and textiles, where they are currently concentrated. For Russia, this influx of Indian workers will help mitigate the workforce shortages expected to increase in the years to come.
The timing of the agreement, coming as it does during President Putin's visit to India, also signals an expansion of bilateral ties beyond defense and trade to labour and migration cooperation.
Important features to note include the quota of Indian workers entering, the sectors and levels of skill, the protection afforded to wages and housing, and how the implementation and monitoring will ensure safe migration.
The deal also holds broader geopolitical significance, reflecting India's positioning between major powers and Russia's response to domestic labor and economic pressures. The forthcoming India-Russia mobility pact is a significant step in labour cooperation, promising benefits from both sides to shape opportunities and protections for Indian workers abroad.