Russia agrees to take about 70,000 Indian skilled workers, Jaishankar tells panel
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told a parliamentary consultative committee that Russia had agreed to receive about 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, particularly for construction and logistics. The briefing also covered trade, energy, India’s diplomacy on Ukraine and efforts to secure the release of Indian nationals serving in Russia’s military.
Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, particularly in construction and logistics, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told a parliamentary consultative committee, according to people familiar with the meeting. Mr.
Jaishankar chaired the committee’s discussion on India-Russia relations and briefed members on what he described as the two countries’ multifaceted engagement. The meeting covered trade, investment, energy, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties. On trade, the Minister said India and Russia shared an ambition to expand bilateral commerce in a balanced manner.
He referred to greater Indian exports to Russia in seven areas: automobiles, pharmaceuticals, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals and textiles. Mr. Jaishankar said India’s priority in energy cooperation was to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers.
India’s approach, according to people cited in the report, was to maintain multiple sources of supply. The committee was also briefed on India’s position regarding the Ukraine conflict and its recent diplomatic efforts to support dialogue and a peaceful settlement. Mr.
Jaishankar referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s August 31 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, during which he said the “endless war” should give way to an end to the war. The Minister also discussed his recent contacts with Ukrainian and Russian officials. He travelled to Ukraine last month and met the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.
India had conveyed that it was ready to help bring the conflict to an end, according to people familiar with the discussion. The meeting also covered Indian nationals serving in the Russian military. Mr.
Jaishankar said about 140 Indian nationals had so far been discharged, while India remained in contact with Russian authorities about the whereabouts of 55 nationals reportedly working for the Russian Army. He said the government was pursuing their early discharge, including through engagement at the highest levels.
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