Russia has indicated plans to hire a growing number of Indians in key sectors as it continues to grapple with a major labour shortage. Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar indicated recently that the demand was now growing beyond traditional sectors — with a focus on the machinery and electronics industries. The assertion comes amid a growing US-India rift over the purchase of Russian oil and the subsequent 50% tariff imposed by Donald Trump.
One million Indian specialists to arrive
“At a broader level, there is manpower requirement in Russia and India has a skilled manpower. So at present, within the Russian regulations, framework of Russian regulations, laws and quotas, the companies are hiring Indians. Most of the people who have come are in construction and textile sector” but the number of people interested in hiring Indians in the machinery and electronics segments is growing,” the state-run TASS news agency quoted Kumar as saying.
Meanwhile Russian business leaders have suggested that suggest that approximately one million specialists from India would be heading to the other country this year. Andrey Besedin — the head of the Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry — reportedly told the RosBusinessConsulting news agency that the migration would help address the shortage of a highly qualified workers in several areas including Sverdlovsk.
Why does Russia have a labour crisis?
Russia has seen a steady decline in overall population over the past few decades — amplified greatly by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The country reports more deaths than births every year and also sees substantial emigration. The working-age population has also suffered heavy casualties over the past three years due to the war. According to a study released at the beginning of June 2025, nearly one million Russian soldiers have already been killed or injured in the full-scale invasion. The Center for Strategic and International Studies had also projected that Moscow would hit the one million casualty mark by summer.