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Russia to welcome 70,000 Indian skilled workers in 2024

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has informed Parliament that Russia will accept approximately 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, primarily in construction and logistics sectors. The announcement came as Jaishankar briefed a parliamentary consultative committee on India's expanding engagement with Moscow across trade, investment and energy cooperation.

LSN India · 3 October 2026

Russia to welcome 70,000 Indian skilled workers in 2024

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday detailed India's multifaceted relationship with Russia before a parliamentary consultative committee, underscoring New Delhi's commitment to deepening bilateral ties amid broader global uncertainties. The minister highlighted shared ambitions between the two nations to expand trade volumes, boost investment flows, and strengthen energy sector cooperation, according to sources familiar with the proceedings.

Jaishankar also briefed committee members on India's diplomatic position regarding the Ukraine conflict and outlined recent efforts by New Delhi to contribute toward a peaceful resolution. The minister further informed the panel that Russia has agreed to absorb around 70,000 Indian skilled workers during 2024, with particular emphasis on employment opportunities in construction and logistics sectors, people with knowledge of the meeting said.

Addressing trade and investment dimensions of the bilateral relationship, Jaishankar noted that both countries share ambitions to expand commercial engagement in a balanced framework. The minister identified seven priority sectors for increased Indian exports to Russia, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, food products, marine goods, engineering equipment, and chemicals, signalling New Delhi's strategy to diversify its export basket to the Russian market.