External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday chaired a consultative committee meeting on India-Russia relations, highlighting trade, investments, energy, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties, and reiterating India's support for dialogue and diplomacy to end the Ukraine conflict.
Trade ambitions
Both sides shared an ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced manner, including through greater Indian exports to Russia in seven areas — auto, pharma, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals and textiles. They also discussed an India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor, the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route.
Jaishankar said India's priority was to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers, adding that the approach was to maintain multiple sources of supply.
Skilled workers and Indian nationals
Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, especially in construction and logistics. The government has engaged Russian authorities, including at the highest levels, for the early discharge of Indian nationals in the Russian Army; around 140 have been discharged so far, and the Indian side is in touch with Russian authorities regarding the whereabouts of 55 Indian nationals reportedly in the Russian Army.
Sources: The Tribune (ANI): EAM Jaishankar chairs consultative committee meeting on India-Russia relations
Trade ambitions
Both sides shared an ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced manner, including through greater Indian exports to Russia in seven areas — auto, pharma, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals and textiles. They also discussed an India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor, the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route.
Jaishankar said India's priority was to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers, adding that the approach was to maintain multiple sources of supply.
Skilled workers and Indian nationals
Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, especially in construction and logistics. The government has engaged Russian authorities, including at the highest levels, for the early discharge of Indian nationals in the Russian Army; around 140 have been discharged so far, and the Indian side is in touch with Russian authorities regarding the whereabouts of 55 Indian nationals reportedly in the Russian Army.
Sources: The Tribune (ANI): EAM Jaishankar chairs consultative committee meeting on India-Russia relations
