From labour mobility to free tourist visas: India, Russia deepen cooperation through new MoUs and a 2030 economic roadmap

India and Russia on Friday, December 5, unveiled an expansive set of agreements that aim to deepen cooperation across labour mobility, healthcare, shipping, fertilisers, food safety and taxation, while also announcing a joint economic vision that will guide bilateral engagement until 2030. The announcements were made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held wide-ranging talks at Hyderabad House, marking a significant reset in a relationship that both sides described as stable, trusted and future-focused.

The talks produced a series of MoUs, a renewed political commitment to long-term energy cooperation, and a major move on people-to-people ties — with India announcing free 30-day e-tourist visas for Russian citizens. PM Modi and President Putin also underlined shared strategic priorities, calling bilateral ties “steady as a pole star” despite turbulent global conditions.

Labour mobility pact to open new opportunities

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A key highlight of the summit was the agreement on manpower mobility, which will allow skilled and unskilled Indian workers to take up jobs in Russia across select sectors. Officials said the pact will help streamline recruitment, training and workplace regulations, creating new employment avenues for Indians and supporting labour shortages in Russian industries.

PM Modi said mobility will “create new strength and new opportunities for both countries,” adding that vocational education, skilling and training would form the backbone of this cooperation. The two sides also committed to expanding exchanges between students, researchers and sportspersons to strengthen social and cultural links.

Free tourist visas signal major push for people-to-people ties

In a move aimed at boosting direct engagement between ordinary citizens, India announced a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian nationals. PM Modi said cultural connections have always been central to the relationship and that easier travel would encourage deeper public engagement.

The announcement follows the recent inauguration of two new Indian consulates in Yekaterinburg and Kazan. Officials said the missions will improve outreach, trade facilitation, consular services and tourism flows.

Series of MoUs expand cooperation across critical sectors

India and Russia signed MoUs covering a broad set of areas:

• Healthcare and medical sciences
• Mobility and labour cooperation
• Shipping and maritime transport
• Fertilisers and joint production of urea
• Food safety and consumer protection
• Customs, taxation and early-warning systems

These agreements will feed into a joint blueprint for economic cooperation until 2030, which both leaders formally adopted. The programme outlines projects in minerals, Arctic collaboration, maritime logistics, industrial manufacturing and scientific research.

Energy security remains central to the partnership

Energy supply and long-term arrangements formed a major part of the discussions. President Putin assured PM Modi that Russia is prepared to maintain uninterrupted shipments of fuel to support India’s growing economy.

India has recently reduced purchases of Russian crude following sanctions on major producers, but Moscow expects export volumes to stabilise soon. Putin said Russia remains committed to being a reliable energy partner and highlighted ongoing work on India’s largest nuclear power project, along with potential collaboration on small modular reactors and floating nuclear plants.

Trade in Focus: Target of $100 billion by 2030

Both leaders reaffirmed their ambition to significantly raise the trade basket. Bilateral trade stood at $65.7 billion in 2023–24, but remains heavily skewed towards imports from Russia. PM Modi called for greater balance in the trade structure, with an emphasis on new sectors. President Putin said 96 per cent of bilateral transactions are now carried out in rupees and roubles, signalling a shift towards resilient, non-dollar trade mechanisms.

The two sides noted positive movement on logistics corridors, particularly the Chennai–Vladivostok maritime route, and pledged to accelerate work on the Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement.

Strong strategic messaging from both sides

PM Modi described the India–Russia relationship as “steady like a pole star”, highlighting decades of cooperation across security, energy, defence, space and nuclear technologies. He said the partnership had weathered global uncertainties and is now entering a new, wider phase.

The leaders also expressed firm alignment on terrorism. PM Modi referred to recent attacks in India and Russia, noting that the “root cause” behind the incidents was similar and required a united global response.

President Putin, on his first visit to India in four years, said the agreements signed on Friday represent a “significant deepening” of cooperation. He added that both sides are committed to a more democratic and multipolar global order and will continue close coordination in BRICS and the SCO.

Russia backs ‘Make in India’, plans local manufacturing

President Putin reiterated Russia’s support for India’s manufacturing and industrial ambitions. He confirmed that Russian companies would establish local production lines in India under the ‘Make in India’ framework, spanning machinery, digital technologies and heavy industry.

He said cooperation in the Arctic — including shipping routes, minerals and seafarer training — will be expanded to create new avenues for trade and employment.