H-1B visa restrictions: India, Russia look for cooperation in IT sector

NEW DELHI: The proposed US H-1B visa restrictions may open a door for India’s IT industry in Russia with the two sides exploring cooperation in both software and hardware sectors during the visit of a Russian minister here last week.

Rashid Ismailov, deputy minister of telecom and mass communication, who led a team of IT experts from Russia, not only explored cooperation with the Indian IT ministry but also held dialogue with members of NASSCOM, India’s apex software body on joint cooperation in software sector.

Cooperation in the area of cyber-security to combat radical groups and other threats were also discussed between the visiting minister and Indian officials.

St Petersburg International Economic Forum or SPIEF, to be held on June 1-3 and where India is the guest country this year, might witness certain concrete outcomes from the Indo-Russian partnership in IT sector, persons familiar with the developments said. Some members of NASSCOM are expected to take part in SPIEF where PM Narendra Modi is the guest of honour.



It is no secret that neither Indian IT giants nor Russian IT industry have so far made inroads in each other’s countries notwithstanding their respective achievements over the past decades. While India has world class software industry, Russia has made substantial progress in the areas of computer programming, Artificial Intelligence and robotics.

Skolkovo, the leading Russian technology hub, with partnerships with Boeing, IBM and MIT, is keen to partner Indian IT giants.

This tech hub on the outskirts of Moscow comprises about 1,000 companies including startups. Indian oil companies have expressed interest in software for oil exploration developed by Rock Flow Dynamics, a Skolkovo-based company.

Skolkovo is also known for developing technologies for smart cities and keen to enter Indian smart cities sector. Simultaneously, a lesser known fact is that India is establishing an IT cluster in Moscow. Russian officials point out that their IT firms have undertaken world class innovation but lack marketing and this is where Indian IT giants can assist creating a win-win situation for both sides.

Recently the union cabinet approved a MoU to promote joint scientific and research activities between India and Russia.

Under this MoU valid for five years, India and Russia will exchange information, establish direct connections between specialists, scientists and scientific organisations, form projects aimed at joint research and aim at development of interdisciplinary and multi-institutional projects with the involvement of industry.