Lok Sabha Question No. 3523 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Labour Mobility Agreement with Russia
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## 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

(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

know   about   fraudulent   activities   of   illegal/unscrupulous   recruitment agents/agencies in the country as and when a complaint is filed by aggrieved emigrants who have been cheated or their relatives/friends/family members. These Indian nationals usually proceed abroad on their own volition 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.

Ministry   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.

As 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.

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