New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations, India and Russia have signed a Labour Mobility Pact during the Modi-Putin summit held in New Delhi on December 4-5, 2025. The agreement aims to boost manpower mobility, enhance vocational training, and create employment opportunities for the youth of both nations. This collaboration seeks to provide skilled Indians with new avenues, strengthen people-to-people connections, and offer global exposure to young professionals.
The Labour Mobility Pact is designed to facilitate legal migration, protect the rights of workers, and expand the presence of skilled Indian manpower in Russia. Russia, facing a shortage of qualified and skilled workers in its expanding economy, sees this agreement as a crucial solution. By the end of 2025, over 70,000 Indian nationals are expected to be officially employed across Russia under quotas managed by the Russian Ministry of Labour.
The agreement will ensure legal protection for existing Indian workers and create pathways for thousands of new professionals in industries such as construction, textiles, engineering, and electronics. Streamlined visa procedures are expected to make obtaining work visas faster and more accessible. The pact also aims to simplify visa procedures for Indian workers, making it easier to obtain work visas. Furthermore, there is potential for the recognition of Indian educational qualifications, including technical diplomas and engineering credentials, in Russia.
The Moscow-based Indian Business Alliance (IBA) has lauded the India-Russia Mobility Agreement, viewing it as a strategic milestone in expanding relations between the two countries. IBA President Sammy Manoj Kotwani stated that the agreement presents a win-win situation, providing skilled manpower for Russia's industrial transformation while ensuring secure and dignified employment for Indian professionals.
To prevent past instances of immigration law violations, the IBA has offered its support to both governments and business partners in organizing orientation and language programs for incoming Indian workers, promoting fair recruitment channels, and upholding ethical employment standards. The IBA will also collaborate with the Indian Embassy in Moscow and regional Russian authorities to ensure the smooth integration and welfare of Indian citizens working in Russia.
During the summit, both leaders emphasized the importance of economic cooperation to boost trade until 2030. Discussions also covered defence modernization, long-term energy cooperation, nuclear projects, trade expansion, and geopolitical coordination on regional security. India and Russia have been holding annual summits since 2000, solidifying one of India's most institutionalized strategic dialogues.
The timing of the summit is particularly significant due to the shifting global geopolitics, including sanctions on Russia, U.S. tariff pressures on India, and global energy volatility. Both nations are expected to reaffirm their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, a cornerstone of bilateral relations since 2000.
In addition to the Labour Mobility Pact, discussions included the progress on Su-30MKI upgrades, joint production of spare parts, BrahMos expansion, and new agreements on air defence and maintenance support. The leaders also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with PM Modi emphasizing India's stance on peace and support for all peace efforts. President Putin expressed gratitude for India's attention to peace efforts.
This summit underscores the resilience and adaptability of the India-Russia relationship, navigating geopolitical challenges and focusing on mutually beneficial opportunities in various sectors.
