External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has told a parliamentary consultative committee that Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, people familiar with the discussions said. The minister shared the figure on Saturday while briefing the panel on India's wide-ranging engagement with Russia.
Workers, trade and energy on the agenda
The minister said the workers would be taken largely in construction and logistics, according to those familiar with the meeting. The briefing covered what Jaishankar described as India's "multifaceted" engagement with Moscow, spanning trade, investment, energy, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties.
On trade, Jaishankar told the panel that both countries share an ambition to expand bilateral commerce in a more balanced way. India is looking to grow exports to Russia in seven sectors: automobiles, pharmaceuticals, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals and textiles.
Energy cooperation also figured prominently. The minister said New Delhi's priority is to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers, adding that India's approach is to maintain multiple sources of supply.
Ukraine and the push for peace
Jaishankar also briefed the committee on New Delhi's position on the Ukraine conflict and its recent diplomatic efforts to support a peaceful settlement. He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's August 31 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, where the Prime Minister said "endless war must now give way to end of war".
The minister noted that he had travelled to Ukraine last month and met the foreign ministers of both Ukraine and Russia in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He told the panel that if India could help bring the war to an end in any manner, it was ready to do so. The committee also noted President Putin's recent remarks at the Valdai Club that PM Modi "has very good ideas for finding mutually acceptable solutions", along with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's appreciation of India's efforts.
Indians in the Russian military
Jaishankar also updated the panel on the government's efforts to secure the release of Indians serving in the Russian military. Around 140 Indian nationals have been discharged so far, he said, adding that New Delhi is in touch with Russian authorities about the whereabouts of 55 Indian nationals reportedly working for the Russian Army.
Sources:
The Hindu: Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year
Times of India: Russia to take 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, Jaishankar tells panel
Workers, trade and energy on the agenda
The minister said the workers would be taken largely in construction and logistics, according to those familiar with the meeting. The briefing covered what Jaishankar described as India's "multifaceted" engagement with Moscow, spanning trade, investment, energy, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties.
On trade, Jaishankar told the panel that both countries share an ambition to expand bilateral commerce in a more balanced way. India is looking to grow exports to Russia in seven sectors: automobiles, pharmaceuticals, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals and textiles.
Energy cooperation also figured prominently. The minister said New Delhi's priority is to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers, adding that India's approach is to maintain multiple sources of supply.
Ukraine and the push for peace
Jaishankar also briefed the committee on New Delhi's position on the Ukraine conflict and its recent diplomatic efforts to support a peaceful settlement. He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's August 31 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, where the Prime Minister said "endless war must now give way to end of war".
The minister noted that he had travelled to Ukraine last month and met the foreign ministers of both Ukraine and Russia in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He told the panel that if India could help bring the war to an end in any manner, it was ready to do so. The committee also noted President Putin's recent remarks at the Valdai Club that PM Modi "has very good ideas for finding mutually acceptable solutions", along with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha's appreciation of India's efforts.
Indians in the Russian military
Jaishankar also updated the panel on the government's efforts to secure the release of Indians serving in the Russian military. Around 140 Indian nationals have been discharged so far, he said, adding that New Delhi is in touch with Russian authorities about the whereabouts of 55 Indian nationals reportedly working for the Russian Army.
Sources:
The Hindu: Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year
Times of India: Russia to take 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, Jaishankar tells panel
