Russian companies, especially in the machinery and electronics sectors, are showing growing interest in employing Indian nationals, said Vinay Kumar, India’s ambassador to Russia. Speaking to the TASS state news agency, he noted that the workload of consular services is increasing as more and more Indians are taking up work opportunities in Russia.
The remarks came amid an increasing crackdown on immigration in Western nations, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
“At a broader level, there is a manpower requirement in Russia, and India has skilled manpower. So at present, within the Russian regulations, framework of Russian regulations, laws and quotas, the companies are hiring Indians,” the Indian diplomat said.
“Most of the people who have come are in the construction and textile sectors”, but he added that the demand of Indians in the machinery and electronics segments is growing.
The envoy noted that the increasing number of Indian workers in Russia is stretching consular resources.
“When people come and leave, they need consular services to extend passports, childbirth, say for example, and loss of passport and those kinds, basically consular services,” he added.
Relations with Russia are a key pillar of India’s foreign policy, and Moscow has been a long-standing, time-tested partner of New Delhi.
Indians are a growing community in Russia, encompassing students, professionals, and workers filling a significant labour deficit. Per the Indian Embassy’s data, the size of the Indian Community in Russia is estimated at 14,000. In addition, there are about 1,500 Afghan nationals of Indian origin in Russia.
