The current estimated strength of the Indian Community living in the Russian Federation is around 14,000. Apart from Mission personnel, it includes students, businessmen and others with families. In addition, there are about 1000-1500 Afgan nationals of Indian origin staying in Russia, who are engaged in various business and entrepreneurial activities.

Economic Occupation

2. There are over 500 Indian businessmen residing in Russia today, of which over 200 work in Moscow. Of the Indian companies, around 300 are registered as Indian companies while the rest are registered as Russian companies. Almost all Indian businessmen / Companies are involved in trading. Tea, coffee, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, rice, spices, leather footwear granite, I.T. and garments and readymade cotton garments are the main products, which are being imported by these companies from India. A small number of Indian nationals are also working for large multinational companies in Moscow and other cities of Russia.

Community organization

3. The Hindustani Samaj is the oldest organization of Indians in Russia that is active today. During its 50 years of existence in this country, it has been in the forefront of social and cultural life in Moscow. It works in close cooperation with the Indian Embassy and endeavours to maintain cordial and active relations with the other organizations of Indians in this country. Apart from the Indian Association, some other organizations including those with a spiritual orientation are the Bhartiya Sanskritik Samaj, Braham Kumaries, ISKCON, Shiromani Gurudwara Committee and Vedanta Centre (Rama Krishna Parmahansa Mission) Centre at Moscow with another branch at St. Petersburg. The Jawaharlal Nehru Culture Centre, the Embassy of India Club and the Indian Women’s Association encourage participation of the Indian community in national, social and cultural events and provide many opportunities for bringing them together.

Education– Embassy of India School, Moscow

4. There is a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Moscow affiliated to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathana, a network of schools spread all over India run by the federal government, headquartered in New Delhi. It is largely composed of KV teachers on deputation from India and includes locally recruited Russians or Moscow-based Indians. The school management receives non-commercial support from the Moscow city administration. Apart from children of the Indian Embassy officials and other Indian nationals, some foreign nationals also attend the school. The school has classes from 1 to XII and the present school enrollment is around 300.

Education – Indian students in Russian academic / technical institutions

5. There are approximately 4000 Indian students currently enrolled in various medical and technical institutions in the Russian Federation. About 95% of them are pursing Medical studies in about 20 universities / academies spread across the country, while the rest are studying engineering, aeronautical designing, computer science, transport technology, management, agriculture, languages etc.

Contact coordinates

6. Some of the active associations established in Russia, along with the names of their office bearers, are as follows :

Hindustani Samaj, Moscow
Dr. R.N. Chatterjee, President,
Mr. Yogender Nagpal, General Secretary

Ramakrishna Society Vendanta Centre
Swami Jyotirupananda , President

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
Bhakti Vigyana Goswami, President

All Malayalees Moscow Association
Mr. Raghunath Pillai, President
Mr. Sashi Kumar, Vice President

Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee, Moscow
Mr. Gulmir Singh, President
Mr. Kartar Singh, Vice President