India looking to send skilled workers to Russia – official

India is preparing to send skilled workers to Russia amid efforts to expand trade and boost economic ties between the two countries, a top official from the southern state of Telangana said on Thursday.

The state is planning on training workers to equip them for the Russian job market, Dana Kishore, principal secretary of Telangana, told RT on the sidelines of the TIME (Tatarstan-India Mutual Efficiency) Forum in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan.

“We have had friendly relations with Russia, but this will be the first time India sends a significant number of workers there,” Kishore said.

He noted that there is a growing shortage of skilled workers in Russia, and that India already sends blue-collar workers to 33 other countries. 

Kishore said Telangana is training its workforce in specialized fields such as aerospace, manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 to make them employable in international markets. He added that the state government is eager to train workers in the Russian language. 

At the forum, Ivan Nosov, CEO of Sberbank India, further underscored the importance of manpower exports from the South Asian country. “Countries that employ Indian workers are increasingly recognizing the high standards of qualifications in India,” he said. “Over 15 million Indians work abroad, and in the past year, the number of Indian workers in Russia has surged about tenfold to approximately 40,000.”

Nosov noted that the volume of goods and services India exports globally exceeds $450 billion, of which only $5 billion worth is exported to Russia, highlighting the opportunity to expand trade.  “Many in Russia are unaware of India's technological capabilities and modern manufacturing facilities. This presents an opportunity for Indian businesses to consider Russia as a viable market,” he added.

Earlier this year, India’s ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, confirmed that New Delhi and Moscow are actively negotiating a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement.

“The demographic dynamics between India and Russia present a unique opportunity for both sides,” Kumar said in an interview with International Affairs magazine. “By sending skilled professionals, we can help meet Russia’s labor shortages and deepen cooperation between our two countries.”