In a strategic move ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India (scheduled for December 4–5, 2025), Moscow has ratified a key defence agreement with New Delhi, reaffirming the longstanding — and evolving — India–Russia security partnership. The pact, known as the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support Agreement (RELOS), formalises procedures for mutual logistical support, including the use of military bases, airspace, and ports by each other’s armed forces.
What is RELOS — and what does it allow?
RELOS — signed earlier this year (February 18, 2025) by the two governments — enables the dispatch of military formations, warships, and military aircraft between Russia and India, along with supporting their logistical needs such as refuelling, repairs, port calls and use of airbases.
With today’s ratification by Russia’s lower house of parliament, the pact enters into effect, legally binding the two sides to these arrangements. According to the statement from the Russian parliament’s Speaker, the agreement “is another step toward reciprocity and … development of our relations.”
The pact is intended to streamline cooperation not only in times of conflict, but also for joint exercises, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and other agreed operations — hinting at a comprehensive and multipurpose alliance framework.
Geopolitical Context: Why Now?
President Putin’s upcoming visit to New Delhi — for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit — has cast a spotlight on the timing of this ratification. The pact’s approval at this juncture underscores the strategic importance both countries place on their defence cooperation, even as global geopolitics shift.
While India has been diversifying its defence partnerships — engaging with countries like the United States, France and others — its long-standing ties with Russia remain significant. The RELOS pact offers New Delhi additional flexibility when operating Russian-made platforms, and signals to global actors that Indo-Russian military cooperation remains robust.
For Moscow, the move helps reinforce its relevance in South Asia, and ensures continued strategic alignment with one of India’s closest traditional partners. As global tensions rise and alliances shift, such pacts offer stability and predictability in defence ties.
What RELOS Means for Defence Cooperation
- Enhanced Mobility & Flexibility: Indian and Russian warships and aircraft can now more easily use each other’s ports and airbases, enabling quicker deployments, joint exercises, or humanitarian missions.
- Operational Readiness: Shared logistics support — refueling, maintenance, repairs — improves readiness and lowers turnaround times for military deployments.
- Broad Scope beyond Warfare: The agreement covers not just combat operations, but also peacetime activities like joint drills, disaster response, and evacuation efforts, enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple domains.
- Signal to External Observers: The pact signals to other global powers that India–Russia defence cooperation is active and institutionalized, even as India balances ties with multiple global partners.
What to Watch during Putin’s Visit
During his visit, Indian and Russian leadership are expected to discuss further aspects of strategic cooperation — including ongoing and prospective arms deals. As per earlier statements from Moscow, acquisition of additional air-defence systems (like S-400 Triumf) and possibly negotiations over next-generation jets (e.g. Su-57) could form part of the agenda.
But even if no major new weapons contracts are signed on the spot, RELOS ratification itself is a concrete institutional step — one that lays down a durable framework for future collaboration.
What it Means for India’s Defence Strategy
For India, the pact reinforces a diversified defence posture: by maintaining deep ties with Russia while also engaging with other global partners, New Delhi ensures flexibility, hedging and balance in a complex international environment. RELOS adds logistical and operational depth to this posture — improving the utility of Russian-origin assets, and signalling continuity in strategic ties.
For analysts and policymakers, RELOS ratification will likely spark debate — about the nature of India’s alignments, balance between legacy partnerships and new alliances, and the implications for India’s role in regional geopolitics. Yet, in practical terms, it strengthens capabilities and cooperation.
