As Russia and India explore new dimensions of economic cooperation ahead of their leaders’ meeting in New Delhi next month, the issue of workforce mobility has emerged as a central theme among policymakers, experts, and business circles.

Last week, Indian Labor and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met his Russian counterpart, Anton Kotyakov, on the sidelines of the World Summit for Social Development in Doha. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two sides discussed potential collaboration on social and labor issues, although details were not disclosed.

Russia is currently facing a significant labor deficit, particularly in its industrial regions, and plans to recruit up to 1 million foreign workers – including from India. The Russian Labor Ministry estimates the shortfall could expand to 3.1 million workers by 2030. To mitigate the gap, authorities intend to raise the quota for qualified foreign workers in 2025 by 1.5 times.

Russian companies in sectors such as machinery and electronics are increasingly interested in hiring skilled Indian professionals. India’s ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, told TASS that the demand for Indian labor is expanding beyond traditional industries.

“At a broader level, there is manpower requirement in Russia, and India has a skilled manpower. So at present, within the framework of Russian regulations, laws and quotas, the companies are hiring Indians,” Kumar noted.

Historically, Indian workers in Russia have been concentrated in construction and textiles, but recruitment in machinery and electronics is now gaining momentum. According to Andrey Besedin, head of the Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry, “By the end of the year, 1 million specialists from India will come to Russia, including to the Sverdlovsk region. A new Consulate General is opening in Ekaterinburg to handle these matters.”

He added that many Russian workers have been deployed in the Ukraine military operation, while younger Russians show limited interest in factory work. Sverdlovsk Region, situated in the Ural Mountains, remains the backbone of Russia’s heavy industry and defense manufacturing.

Contrasting Dynamics

Russia’s demographic profile poses structural challenges to economic growth. As of January 2025, its population is estimated at 146 million, down from 147.2 million in 2021. With a low population density of 8.5 people per........

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