India and Russia are discussing methods to draw Indian staff to tide over labour shortages, Russian ambassador to New Delhi Denis Ailpov mentioned right here on Wednesday. “It is ‘common knowledge’ that certain sectors of the Russian economy are facing labour shortages, the ambassador told the India-Russia Business Forum.He said that an effort is now being made to attract the Indian diaspora, drawing a comparison with the large populations of Indian immigrants in western nations.

ET has learnt that the two sides are exploring possibilities of putting in place a social security pact to attract Indian workers. Both sides are keen to increase Indian diaspora in Russia amid influx of Chinese nationals in far east Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian firm Uralkali, one of the world’s leading potash producers, has signed a contract to provide potash to India. Uralkali grew to become the primary producer to achieve an settlement with Indian Potash Ltd (IPL), the biggest importer of mineral fertilisers in India, for the provision of potash till September 30, 2023. The potash value was agreed at $422 per tonne.

“The settlement is an goal reflection of the present state of affairs within the trade,” mentioned Uralkali CEO Vitaly Lauk. “We can see a optimistic response to our initiative from the market and imagine that the Indian contract goes to be a key value benchmark this yr.”

Uralkali is likely one of the world’s largest potash producers and exporters. The firm’s belongings consist of 5 mines and 7 ore remedy crops within the cities of Berezniki and Solikamsk (Perm Region, Russia). Uralkali employs greater than 13,300 individuals in the primary manufacturing unit.