Number of Indian Workers in Russia Expected to Increase

(MENAFN) Russia is positioning itself to receive a massive influx of Indian workers as Moscow confronts severe labor shortages threatening its industrial capacity, Russia's ambassador to India has revealed.

The Russian workforce currently includes over 70,000 Indian nationals, a figure projected to surge dramatically, Denis Alipov, Russian Ambassador to India, told a news agency Monday.

"As mutual interest from the business community grows and the agreements reached are implemented, this figure will increase," he stated.

"Looking deeper, this process will lead to more intensive people-to-people contacts, and therefore, a further expansion of humanitarian and commercial ties."

The diplomatic push comes as Russia faces a staggering workforce deficit that could hit 3.1 million workers by 2030, according to Russian Labor Ministry projections. Labor mobility discussions between Moscow and New Delhi have intensified accordingly, Alipov confirmed.

India positions itself as the 'skill capital of the world,' boasting a workforce exceeding 600 million, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared at the India-Russia Business Forum in New Delhi last December.

During Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to India, both nations formalized agreements covering temporary employment for citizens and joint efforts against illegal migration, Alipov noted.

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov has signaled Russia's readiness to accept "an unlimited number" of skilled Indian workers to combat domestic labor gaps.

Alipov highlighted that approximately 50% of India's population is working-age, adding, "Indian workers are already in steady demand in Russian regions from both commercial and manufacturing companies."

Multiple sectors stand ready to absorb Indian talent, the envoy specified, including agriculture, construction, housing, utilities, mining, oil and gas, railway engineering, metallurgy, shipbuilding, light industry, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and services.

"Obviously, it requires the development of a regulatory framework to ensure this process is transparent and regulated, and in line with national legislation," he added.

Migrant labor remains vital to Russia's economic infrastructure, filling critical positions across construction, agriculture, and numerous other industries.

MENAFN09022026000045017169ID1110714844