India and Russia are set to sign a new agreement on worker mobility at the annual summit in New Delhi next month, The Economic Times reported. The pact is aimed at protecting the rights of the growing number of Indian workers in Russia. Experts say it could also help increase the number of Indians working in the country in the coming years.
This comes after reports that India’s oil imports from Russia are expected to fall next month due to new US sanctions on two major Russian oil firms.
India and Russia to sign new mobility pact
Russia, currently facing a declining population, is willing to expand its workforce. Currently, Indian workers in Russia mostly land jobs in construction and textiles, but there is a rising demand for skilled workers in machinery and electronics as well.
By the end of 2025, more than 70,000 Indians are expected to be employed in Russia under a quota set by the Russian labour ministry, according to the Economic Times. Russian President Putin is expected to visit India in December for the annual summit with PM Modi. Meanwhile, India’s labour minister recently met his Russian counterpart in Doha, where the issue of Indian workers was discussed. An expert on Russian affairs said the growing Indian community in Russia could become an important pillar of India-Russia relations in the future.
According to the Indian Embassy in Moscow, around 14,000 Indians live in Russia, along with 1,500 Afghan nationals of Indian origin.
Russia-India economic ties and diamond trade
India-Russia economic cooperation is also growing. This year, India has imported record amounts of diamonds and gold from Russia. Russian diamond exports to India jumped to $31.3 million in August 2025, more than double the $13.4 million recorded in August 2024.
However, overall diamond imports from Russia fell by nearly 40% in the first eight months of the year. Russia is the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds. Western sanctions have affected this trade. The European Union and G7 countries have restricted imports of Russian diamonds. Even diamonds that were cut and polished in other countries but originated in Russia are now banned.
On the other hand, the Indian diamond industry is facing a 50% tariff from the US on cut and polished diamonds, which includes a 25% punitive tariff linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
Indian community in Russia
According to the website of the Indian Embassy in Moscow, about 500 Indian businessmen live in Russia, mostly in Moscow. There are around 300 registered Indian companies, mostly trading in “tea, coffee, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, rice, spices, leather footwear, granite, IT services, and garments.”
Speaking of the education sector, roughly 4,500 Indian students study in Russia, with 90% pursuing medical courses in 20 universities. Others study engineering, aeronautical design, computer science, transport technology, management, agriculture, and finance.
The Hindustani Samaj, established in 1957, is the oldest Indian organisation in Russia and plays a big role in cultural and social activities. Apart from this, there are several other Indian organisations in Russia working closely with the Indian embassy, including Bhartiya Sanskritik Samaj, Brahma Kumaris, ISKCON, Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Ramakrishna Society, etc.
