Russia and India to ink labor migration deal  – envoy 

New Delhi and Moscow are actively discussing a memorandum of understanding to establish a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, aiming to facilitate the orderly flow of skilled Indian professionals to Russia, according to Ambassador Vinay Kumar. 

“The demographic dynamics between India and Russia provide a unique opportunity for mutual benefit,” New Delhi’s ambassador to Moscow said in an interview with International Affairs magazine. Kumar emphasized that the move would strengthen bilateral ties and address Russia’s workforce challenges. 

“Skilled professionals from India, especially in the fields of information technology, healthcare, and mechanical engineering, can meet Russia’s workforce needs and strengthen cooperation,” he said. 

New Delhi is looking at “simplifying procedures and ensuring safe conditions” for Indian workers to come and work in Russia, Kumar explained. The agreement which is being discussed will provide a “structured framework for labor exchange, educational cooperation, and technology transfer,” he added. 

Earlier, in an interview with RT, Kumar asserted the partnership between New Delhi and Moscow is reliable and resilient. “This is a very strong relationship with a lot of depth in it,” he said. When asked about the pressure on New Delhi from its partners in the West regarding its ties with Moscow, Kumar noted that India, as a very ancient civilization, is “very autonomous in our thinking.” “Russia has been a very important partner through the decades. So there is no question of abandoning friendship or partnership or cooperation,” he noted. 

India has upheld its close diplomatic and trade relations with Moscow despite pressure from Washington and its allies, deepening their collaboration in energy, defense, and other sectors. 

As the world’s third-largest oil consumer, India depends on imports for over 85% of its related needs; Russia is now its primary crude supplier. 

New Delhi has stressed Moscow’s importance in maintaining its energy security and believes that purchasing Russian oil has helped stabilize the global energy market by preventing slides in energy prices that would inevitably affect the world’s poorest nations, particularly in the Global South.