According to border statistics, approximately 32,000 Indians arrived in Russia in the first quarter of last year, 36,000 in the second, and 63,000 in the third. It is expected that by the end of 2025, up to 80,000 Indian citizens will be working in the country. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed an agreement on quotas for 2026 for an additional 71,800 Indian citizens.
Indian analysts note that Russia is actively recruiting local workers. The salary in Russia ranges from 475 to 950 euros per month, significantly exceeding incomes in their homeland. In December, groups of Indian guest workers began to form in St. Petersburg, reporting salaries of 100,000 rubles per month, as well as the provision of free housing, meals, and Russian language courses.
“Russia needs workers, and India needs the opportunity to export unemployment,” shared the opinion of one Indian diplomat who wished to remain anonymous.
According to him, labor migration used to occur “chaotically and informally,” but now the process has become more organized.
Experts surveyed on this issue suggest that the wages of Indians will most likely be paid in rupees, which Russia earns from selling oil to India. Currently, these funds remain untapped, as Russia does not purchase enough Indian goods. Thus, oil is transformed into human labor. Economist Igor Lipsits points out that the preference for Indians also arose after the terrorist attack at “Krokus City Hall,” when Russian authorities limited the influx of guest workers from Central Asia, predominantly Muslims.
“The bet on India, in my opinion, is also related to the desire to reduce the influx of Muslims. It is assumed that mainly Hindus will be brought in. However, this is just an illusion of a simple solution: people from different cultures can always bring their own risks and conflicts,” agrees economist Andrei Yakovlev.
