Russia to accept 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, Jaishankar tells panel

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed a parliamentary panel that Russia has agreed to accept around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, primarily in construction and logistics sectors. Jaishankar briefed the committee on India-Russia trade, investment, and energy cooperation, noting shared ambitions for balanced bilateral trade expansion across seven sectors including auto, pharma, and food. He also detailed India's diplomatic efforts to help end the Ukraine conflict. The minister highlighted India's active support for dialogue and diplomacy regarding Ukraine, referencing Prime Minister Modi's recent meeting with President Putin. He also updated the panel on efforts to secure the discharge of Indian nationals serving in the Russian military, with around 140 released so far.