The Russian sojourn
An increasing number of Indians are heading for Russia to work. According to estimates, close to 70,000 Indians are working across various sectors in Russia, including sectors such as construction, oil & gas, agriculture and city services, amongst others. “Given the historically friendly and trusted relations between Russia and India, there are enough reasons to believe that the overall progress in the labour mobility co-operation would without any doubt lead to the expansion of business opportunities, people-to-people exchanges and, most importantly, the growing awareness in both societies about the modern potential of our countries,” says Roman Babushkin, deputy chief of mission (DCM), Russian Embassy, India.
India and Russia have signed two agreements – one, a labour mobility agreement and the second, an understanding on co-operation in migration. This was designed to manage a quota of over 70,000 Indian workers. The pacts establish a formal, legal framework for skilled professionals – filling high-demand Russian sectors like construction, engineering, healthcare and IT – while actively preventing fraudulent recruitment and human trafficking.
The objectives of the agreements are to combat irregular migration, regulate legal recruitment and worker welfare, and also acquire institutional support. A new Indian consulate is being established in Yekaterinburg to facilitate documentation and support the surge in authorised workers.
Demand and supply of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers are mutually complementary. “We see a huge requirement for Indian labour coming from Russian regions, as also business across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, housing and utilities, mining, oil & gas, railways, metallurgy, shipbuilding, textiles and pharmaceuticals, amongst others,’’ adds Babushkin.
There are also over 40,000 Indian students studying in Russia, mostly in medicine, and there are provisions now for students to work in Russia after completing their undergraduate programme. This will enable more Indians to work in Russia.
The agreement between the governments of India and the Russian Federation on temporary labour activity of citizens of one state in the territory of another state was signed on 4 December 2025, during the state visit of Vladimir Putin, President, Russian Federation, in December 2025. The agreement regulates the mobility and recruitment of workers with permits, as well as workers engaged in part-time work on student visas. It provides for protection of the rights of workers, including social security, remuneration and compensation for termination, in accordance with local laws.
Fraudulent activities
“The government accords utmost priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals proceeding for employment abroad,” says Pabitra Margherita, minister of state for external affairs. “The ministry comes to know about fraudulent activities of illegal/unscrupulous recruitment agents/agencies in the country only when a complaint is filed by aggrieved emigrants, who have been cheated or their relatives/friends/family members. These Indian nationals usually proceed abroad of their own volition through fraudulent/unscrupulous recruitment agents/agencies and through illegal channels”.
As and when complaints against the illegal agents/dubious firms luring Indian youth in false recruitment offers through various channels are received, they are referred to the state police for investigation and prosecution under the relevant legal provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other legislation in place, including the ones enacted by the state governments.
“The government of India, its law enforcement authorities and the Indian Embassy in Russia have issued advisories cautioning Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian Army and to exercise due caution, while seeking employment opportunities in Russia”, adds Margherita.
The ministry also issues advisories through the e-Migrate portal, social media handles and other modes of publicity about the perils of fake job rackets and ways to prevent the same. Till January 2026, a total of 3,505 unregistered agents in the country have been notified on the e-Migrate portal. The ministry across the country carries out an awareness campaign on safe and legal migration through the e-Migrate portal from time to time by conducting workshops, training, information sessions, digital campaigns for media groups, police officials and law enforcement agencies, local administration, aspiring recruiting agents, entrepreneurs and general public.
There have been instances of Indians being recruited in the Russian army – mostly through unregistered agents. “According to the information available, 214 Indian nationals are believed to have been recruited into the Russian Armed Forces,” adds Margherita. “Concerted efforts by the government have resulted in early discharge of 135 Indian nationals from the contracts they had signed with the Russian Army. As many as 30 of them have been reported to have lost their lives”.