In a major boost to India–Russia defence cooperation, Moscow has officially ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement just a day before President Vladimir Putin’s highly anticipated visit to New Delhi on December 4–5. The approval by Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, marks a significant milestone in the longstanding strategic partnership between the two nations.
The ratification, proposed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, adds substantial momentum to Putin’s India trip—his first in four years and one viewed globally as geopolitically consequential.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin underscored the depth of bilateral ties, calling the deal “another step toward reciprocity and the development of our relations.”
What Is the RELOS Agreement?
The RELOS pact is a reciprocal logistics support framework allowing:
Military ships, aircraft, and personnel from both sides to use each other’s bases
Refuelling, repairs, maintenance, berthing, and storage
Support during joint exercises, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief
Streamlined movement of troops and equipment with reduced paperwork and faster operational readiness
Use of each other’s airspace and port facilities, including for warship visits
In essence, RELOS offers a seamless logistics grid, improving flexibility, endurance, and range of military operations for both nations.
Why RELOS Matters: India’s Strategic Gains
1. Direct Access to the Arctic and Northern Sea Route
Perhaps the most significant advantage is that India gains access to key Russian naval facilities in the Arctic—a region becoming central to new shipping lanes, energy reserves, and geopolitical competition.
Access to: Murmansk, Vladivostok, Ports along the Northern Sea Route
This expands India’s naval footprint into polar waters—an area where New Delhi currently has minimal operational presence.
It also boosts India’s scientific and climate-research goals in the rapidly evolving Arctic ecosystem.
2. Strengthening the Indian Navy’s Global Reach
The Indian Navy increasingly deploys 12–15 warships across the Indo-Pacific for: Maritime security, Anti-piracy, Search and rescue, Monitoring choke points, Disaster relief, Freedom of navigation
However, without forward logistics access, sustaining these long-distance missions is challenging.
RELOS provides: Reliable refuelling points, Maintenance hubs, Port access during extended operations
This reduces dependence on supply ships and significantly improves mission endurance.
3. Continuity for India’s Russia-Origin Defence Hardware
India’s arsenal—from Sukhoi fighter jets and T-90 tanks to S-400 air defence systems—relies heavily on Russian logistics chains.
With RELOS: Maintenance is simplified, Spare parts availability improves, Joint operations become smoother
India gets stronger back-end support during crises or humanitarian operations
4. Supports India’s Long-Term Strategy Against China’s Maritime Assertiveness
Since 2016, India has increasingly adopted logistics pacts—starting with LEMOA with the US—to expand strategic flexibility.
RELOS with Russia is especially valuable as:
China expands its Arctic claims
Beijing builds dual-use ports across the Indian Ocean
Moscow’s Arctic influence counterbalances China in ways helpful to India
What Russia Gains From RELOS
1. Enhanced Presence in the Indian Ocean
Western sanctions have limited Russia’s global mobility. Access to Indian ports:
Extends Russia’s naval reach into the Indian Ocean
Offers Moscow a cost-effective alternative to building overseas bases
Helps counterbalance China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific
Strengthens Russia’s ability to project power in Asia
2. Strengthening a Dependable Strategic Partnership
India is one of the few major countries maintaining balanced ties with Russia amid global realignments.
RELOS:
Deepens military trust
Reinforces multipolar cooperation
Offers an alternative logistical ecosystem outside Western frameworks
Helps Russia diversify its defence partnerships amid sanctions
A Win-Win Pact in a Shifting World Order
For India, RELOS expands its global maritime footprint—particularly in the Arctic—and bolsters logistics essential for long-range naval operations. It also strengthens the backbone of India’s Russian-origin defence equipment.
For Russia, RELOS provides valuable access to the Indian Ocean and enhances its strategic flexibility at a time of geopolitical isolation.
Together, the agreement symbolizes a modern, cooperative, and resilient defence partnership evolving far beyond traditional buyer-seller dynamics.