The article analyzes the features of teaching Indian students Russian as a foreign language, taking into account the linguistic, sociocultural characteristics of these students. The role of ethnomethodics in teaching Russian as a foreign language is considered.The influence of linguistic and extralinguistic factors on the education of students from India in Russian higher education institutions is studied.
Key words: Russian as a foreign language, foreign students, ethnomethodics, nationally oriented methodology, Indian students, language interference.