Delhi, Moscow clear mobility pact; fertiliser trade set for boost

India and Russia have finalised a manpower mobility agreement that will allow the recruitment of skilled and semi-skilled Indian workers for employment in Russia.

New Delhi is also looking to expand its export basket to Moscow while increasing imports of fertilisers. Both sides are expected to raise key issues in defence, nuclear energy, technology, trade and banking during upcoming talks.

According to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials, the mobility agreement document has been finalised and is expected to be announced — along with other outcomes —when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in New Delhi.

A mobility agreement is a formal pact between two governments outlining rules for work visas, study visas or other long-term stays. It provides a framework to manage and protect legal migration flows and defines conditions such as visa types, duration of stay, renewal procedures and whether family members may accompany the worker.

“The focus is on strengthening trade and economic ties,” officials said. As part of widening trade with Russia, several categories of Indian exports are under negotiation, including fisheries, potatoes, textiles, processed food, pharmaceuticals and consumer products.

New Delhi is also looking to ramp up fertiliser imports. “We currently import 3-4 million metric tonnes, and we are looking to deepen cooperation,” MEA officials said.

To facilitate closer business engagement, industry chamber FICCI will host counterparts from Russia to explore ways to boost bilateral trade. A rupee-rouble payment mechanism is already in place for settlement of transactions.

Negotiations on the India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement began last week in New Delhi. The FTA is a strategic pivot for India as it seeks to diversify export markets beyond the US and European Union amid rising trade tensions with Washington. The EAEU comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with a collective GDP of about $8.5 trillion.

Meanwhile, a diplomatic row has erupted just two days ahead of Putin’s visit. New Delhi has conveyed its displeasure after the British, French and German ambassadors jointly authored an op-ed in a national daily criticising Moscow’s role in the Ukraine conflict. The MEA described the move as “very unusual” and “not acceptable diplomatic practice”, noting that diplomats do not comment publicly on third-country matters.

The op-ed was co-authored by UK envoy Lindy Cameron, French Ambassador Thierry Mathou and German envoy Philipp Ackermann.