Parliament Question: Labour Mobility Agreement with Russia

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3523 ANSWERED ON– 13/03/2026 LABOUR MOBILITY AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA 3523. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:- (a) Whether India has signed labour mobility agreement with Russia during the visit of Russian President in December, 2025; (b) If so, the details thereof and the expected recruitment of Indian professionals as part of this agreement; (c) whether the Government has taken measures to ensure that the fraudulent recruitments of Indians to serve the Russian army as reported earlier are not repeated; (d) if so, the details thereof; and 1(e) the number of Indian nationals still serving the Russian army and the details of measures taken by the Government for their release and repatriation? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA) (a) to (e) The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on Temporary Labour Activity of citizens of one State in the territory of the other State was signed on 04 December 2025 during the State Visit of President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Vladimir Putin from 04-05 December, 2025. The Agreement regulates the mobility and recruitment process of workers with work permit and workers engaged in part time work on student visas. It provides for protection of the rights of workers including social security, remuneration and compensation for termination, in accordance with the local laws. Government accords utmost priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals proceeding for employment abroad. Ministry comes to 2know about fraudulent activities of illegal/unscrupulous recruitment agents/agencies in the country as and when a complaint is filed by ag- grieved emigrants who have been cheated or their relatives/friends/family members. These Indian nationals usually proceed abroad on their own vo- lition through fraudulent/unscrupulous recruitment agents/agencies and through illegal channels. As and when complaints against the illegal agents/dubious firms luring Indian youth in false recruitment offers through various channels are received, they are referred to the State police for investigation and prosecution under the relevant legal provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other legislation in place, including the ones enacted by some State Governments. Government of India, including law enforcement authorities, and our Embassy in Russia have issued advisories cautioning Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian Army, and to exercise due caution while seeking employment opportunities in Russia. 3Ministry also issues advisories through eMigrate portal, social media handles and other modes of publicity about the perils of fake job rackets and ways to prevent the same. Till January 2026, a total of 3,505 unregistered agents in the country have been notified on the eMigrate portal. Awareness campaign on safe and legal migration through eMigrate portal is carried out by the Ministry across the country from time to time by conducting workshops, training, information sessions, digital campaigns for media groups, police officials and law enforcement agencies, local administration, aspiring recruiting agents, entrepreneurs and general public. During these sessions, awareness on emigration regulations, schemes beneficial for emigrants like Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY), Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT), eMigrate portal and various advisories issued by Indian Embassies are brought to the notice of all stakeholders including job seekers, who are advised to verify all antecedents of Recruiting Agents before accepting any kind of employment offer and not be enticed and entrapped in fraudulent job offers. 4As per information available, 214 Indian nationals are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Concerted efforts by the Government have resulted in early discharge of 135 Indian nationals from the contracts that they signed with the Russian Army; 30 are reported to have lost their lives. The Embassy has been following up with the Russian authorities for updates on whereabouts of 13 individuals confirmed missing by the Russian side, and on status update of the remaining 36 individuals. The Ministry has provided assistance in repatriation of mortal remains of 13 deceased Indian nationals to India, and local cremation of two deceased Indian nationals. The Ministry and Indian Mission and Posts in Russia have assisted the Indians discharged from the Russian Army for their return to India, including through facilitation of travel documents and providing air tickets, wherever required. The Government of India has strongly taken up cases of Indian nationals recruited in the Russian Army for ensuring their safety and early discharge and repatriation to India. ***** 5