India-Russia Bilateral Agreements and Cooperation
New Agreements and Summit Outcomes
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India and Russia have signed new agreements that link India’s vast pool of semi-skilled and skilled workers with Russia’s growing demand for labor, while simultaneously deepening cooperation in nuclear energy, the Arctic, and tourism.
These decisions were announced during the recent India-Russia summit in New Delhi attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin.
Focus on Labour Mobility
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The core of the summit’s people‑centric agenda was a labour mobility agreement that allows temporary employment of citizens of one country in the territory of the other, with a special focus on
semi‑skilled and skilled Indian workers needed in Russia. Russian authorities are reported to require around 5,00,000 such workers in coming years, creating a structured pathway for Indian job‑seekers in sectors like construction, services and infrastructure. The pact also includes cooperation against irregular migration, aiming to ensure that movement of workers remains legal, regulated and secure.
Free e‑tourist visas and people ties
To make travel easier, both countries agreed to grant a 30‑day e‑tourist visa on a gratis basis, meaning Russian and Indian tourists will not have to pay a processing fee for this short‑term electronic visa. India additionally announced free e‑tourist and group tourist visas specifically for Russian nationals to encourage tourism and cultural exchanges. These steps are framed as part of a wider effort to strengthen people‑to‑people contact through education, culture and media cooperation.
Arctic and strategic cooperation
India and Russia reaffirmed that they will
Indo-Russian Strategic Cooperation in Arctic and Nuclear Energy
Arctic Collaboration and Strategic Partnership
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hold regular consultations on Arctic issues and expand collaboration along the Northern Sea Route, which Moscow sees as a key international shipping corridor.
Russia welcomed India’s active observer role in the Arctic Council and participation in major Arctic forums, highlighting New Delhi’s interest in polar research, shipping and energy.
The joint statement also underlined plans to deepen cooperation in defence production, space technology and long‑term fertiliser supplies under their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
Nuclear Energy Cooperation
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Civil nuclear energy emerged as another major pillar, with both sides committing to broaden cooperation across the entire fuel cycle and to support India’s goal of raising nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047.
Kudankulam Reactor Fuel Delivery
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[9][3] Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has just delivered the first consignment of nuclear fuel for the initial loading of the third reactor at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, marking a key milestone in the project.
Future Nuclear Projects and Collaboration
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The two governments also agreed to continue work on additional reactors at Kudankulam and to advance talks on a second nuclear power plant site in India that would use Russian‑designed reactors.