KAZAN, October 16. /TASS/. Tatarstan is interested in English-speaking engineering and technical personnel, IT specialists, healthcare professionals and highly qualified welders from India, Elmira Zaripova, the republic’s Labor, Employment and Social Protection Minister, said at the second Russia-India business forum "TIME."

"Today, we have compatible skills. India represents not only workers but also English-speaking technical and engineering personnel, specialists in IT and healthcare, and highly qualified welders. I’d like to note that welders from India are familiar with Russia’s federal standards, especially in manual arc underwater welding. That is, they are familiar with our standards, and this too brings us closer together," Zaripova said at the session titled, "Labor Market: problems and prospects."

According to her, Tatarstan has an almost zero unemployment rate: its approximately 3,000 unemployed citizens account for less than 0.2% of the labor force, and there are 14 to 25 jobs per unemployed.

In 2026, Tatarstan obtained a quota to attract more than 3,000 workers from India, and in 2025, the republic granted over 600 work permits to Indian nationals, Zaripova noted. More than 1,000 Indians are officially employed in the region. The median age of an Indian worker is 29, an age in which people have long-term carrier plans. In addition, there are around 1,300 Indian students at universities, mostly medical and technical ones, in Tatarstan.

"The prospects include the harmonization of standards for the recognition of qualifications. Otherwise, a specialist trained in the country of origin will not be employed here, primarily in fields such as welding, engineering, medicine and IT. This is an objective that is pursued at the federal level too," Zaripova concluded.

The second Russia-India business forum "TIME" is being held at the Centre of Unique Craftsmanship (TSUM) in Kazan from October 14 to 17. TASS is the event’s general media partner.