Lok Sabha Question No. 312 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Indo-Russia Economic Engagement
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO- 312

ANSWERED ON- 13/03/2026

INDIA RUSSIA ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT

*312. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a)   the   steps   taken   by   the   Government   to   strengthen   economic engagement   with   the   Russian   Federation,   including   cooperation   in sectors   such   as   energy,   defence   manufacturing,   pharmaceuticals, fertilisers and critical minerals;

(b)   the   initiatives   undertaken   to   facilitate   mobility   of skilled professionals, students and technical experts between India and Russia under bilateral frameworks, including recognition of qualifications and institutional partnerships; and

(c) the number of  Indian and Russian skilled professionals, technical experts   and   students   who   have   participated   in   official   exchange programmes, internships or employment-linked mobility initiatives during FY 2025-26?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR) (a to c) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question   No.   312   for   reply   on   13.03.2026   regarding   'INDIA   RUSSIA ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT.'

India and Russia have established bilateral mechanisms to strengthen economic   cooperation,   such   as   the   India-Russia   Intergovernmental Commission   on   Trade,   Economic,   Scientific,   Technical   and   Cultural Cooperation   (IRIGC-TEC).   Under   the   IRIGC-TEC   mechanism,   sectoral working  groups   focus   on   priority   areas   such   as   Trade   &   Economic Cooperation, Industrial Cooperation, Energy Cooperation, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Information and Communication Technology, Pharmaceuticals   and   Mining.   The   26 th Session   of   the   IRIGC-TEC mechanism, co-chaired by EAM and Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister, was held in Moscow on 20 August 2025.

With regard to cooperation in Defence, India and Russia have an Intergovernmental   Commission   on   Military   and   Military   Technical Cooperation, which is co-chaired by the Defence Ministers of the two countries. The 23 rd   Session of the IRIGC-M&MTC was held in New Delhi on 04 December 2025.

President Vladmir Putin visited India during 4-5 December 2025, for the 23 rd   Annual Summit, during which both leaders had the chance to

review the entire gamut of our bilateral relations. During the visit, 16 MoUs/Agreements were signed across a range of  sectors, including migration and mobility, health and food safety, maritime cooperation in polar waters, fertilizers, customs   and   commerce,   academic collaboration, and media cooperation. Among these was the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Temporary Labour Activity of citizens of one State in the territory of the other State. 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.

Collaboration in higher education, including between universities and research institutions, is facilitated through mechanisms such as the Educational Exchange Programme (EEP), the India-Russia Network of Higher   Education   Institutions   (RIN),   the   Scheme   for   Promotion   of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), and the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN). Russia has also been an active country for ITEC and ICCR scholarships.

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