Indian Embassy Moscow

The Indian Embassy in Moscow is India's principal diplomatic mission to the Russian Federation, responsible for consular services, bilateral trade promotion, and the welfare of Indian nationals in Russia. On 17 May 2026 the Embassy issued a formal advisory to Indian citizens following Ukraine's largest-ever drone barrage — more than 1,000 UAVs — which struck targets across Russia including in Moscow Oblast and killed at least one Indian national working in the Russian refinery sector. The Embassy's advisory was the first formal diplomatic signal from New Delhi that its nationals are experiencing lethal risk from the war's expanding geographic reach inside Russian territory.

The Embassy operates under India's Ministry of External Affairs and reflects New Delhi's carefully balanced Foreign Policy on the Russia-Ukraine war: India has avoided condemning Russia at the United Nations while maintaining economic ties including significant purchases of discounted Russian crude oil. The death of an Indian national in a Ukrainian strike places New Delhi in an awkward position, as it attempts to maintain positive working relationships with both Kyiv and Moscow while prioritising Indian economic interests.

India has a substantial diaspora working in Russia in skilled trades and technical roles, drawn partly by demand for workers as Russia's labour market tightens under war conditions. The Embassy advisory signals that New Delhi will seek consular accountability from Russia for the safety of these workers, while stopping short of any statement that could be read as condemning Ukraine.