India Secures 780,000 Worker Commitments From Israel, Russia and Japan as West Tightens Visas
Updated
Updated · The Economic Times · May 19
India Secures 780,000 Worker Commitments From Israel, Russia and Japan as West Tightens Visas
1 articles · Updated · The Economic Times · May 19
India has lined up pathways for about 780,000 workers with Israel, Russia and Japan, shifting labor exports toward countries facing acute staff shortages.
50,000 jobs in Israel over five years were formalized after February protocols, while Russia lifted its 2025 foreign-specialist quota 1.5 times to 230,000 and Japan's plan targets 500,000 people, including 50,000 Indian workers.
Western visa curbs and political pressure are driving the pivot, with India using a proposed Overseas Mobility Bill to replace the 1983 Emigration Act and build safer, faster recruitment and reintegration systems.
$135.4 billion in FY25 remittances underscore the economic payoff: overseas Indians sent home nearly three times India's roughly $47 billion in gross FDI, offering a buffer as the rupee hit a record 96.47 per dollar.
As India pivots east for jobs, why is its remittance boom still driven by the West?
By sending its best talent abroad, is India fueling other economies at the expense of its own?
Is India trading Western visa hurdles for greater geopolitical risks in Russia and the Middle East?
India's Strategic Labor Shift: Sending 780,000 Workers to Israel, Russia, and Japan for Economic and Geopolitical Gains
Overview
India is making a major shift in its global labor strategy by seeking new opportunities for its workforce beyond traditional Western countries, where visa rules are getting stricter. This strategic pivot involves large-scale agreements to send Indian workers to Israel, Russia, and Japan, with plans for up to 780,000 placements in the coming years. By diversifying its labor export destinations, India aims to secure jobs for its skilled and semi-skilled workers, reduce dependence on any single region, and protect itself from changing global demands or policies. This move marks a significant step in India's approach to global labor markets.