Days after his December 4–5 visit to New Delhi, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a significant defence cooperation agreement with India — the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS). The move gives legal force to a pact that quietly expands the operational space of both militaries, even as global geopolitics grows more polarised.
What Is the RELOS Agreement?
RELOS is a military logistics agreement that lays down procedures for the movement and sustenance of each other’s armed forces. It governs the transit and temporary deployment of military formations, warships, and aircraft, and establishes rules for logistical support such as refuelling, repairs, maintenance, and provisioning when forces operate from the other country’s territory.
The agreement facilitates:
- Mutual use of airspace by military aircraft
- Port calls by naval vessels
- Logistical backing during joint exercises, training missions, and deployments
- Support during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations
Its scope can be extended to other scenarios as well, subject to mutual consent.
Why the Timing Matters
The ratification comes amid sustained Western sanctions on Russia and a sharper global focus on military logistics as a determinant of power projection. For Moscow, formalising RELOS with India signals that its long-standing defence partnership with New Delhi remains intact despite geopolitical pressures. For India, it reflects a careful balancing act — deepening cooperation with Russia while maintaining strong defence ties with the United States and its partners.
Strategic Gains for India
For New Delhi, RELOS creates an institutional pathway to access Russian military infrastructure across a vast geography — from Vladivostok in the Pacific to Murmansk in the Arctic. This is particularly valuable given India’s continued reliance on Russian-origin platforms across its Navy and Air Force.
Operationally, the agreement:
- Extends India’s naval and air reach for long-range deployments
- Enhances sustainment of Russian-origin equipment abroad
- Supports India’s Indo-Pacific posture by leveraging Russian basing networks
Access to over 40 Russian bases significantly boosts India’s ability to operate far from home waters during exercises or contingencies.
What Russia Stands to Gain
Reciprocally, Russia secures assured access to Indian ports and airfields for refuelling and repairs. This institutionalises Russian naval presence in the Indian Ocean — a region where Moscow seeks to retain strategic relevance as part of its vision of a multipolar world order. RELOS thus strengthens Russia’s military diplomacy footprint beyond its immediate neighbourhood.
How RELOS Compares with India–US Pacts
RELOS mirrors the logic of India’s foundational defence agreements with the United States, though it is tailored to the India–Russia relationship. These include:
- LEMOA (2016): Enables reciprocal access to bases for logistics support
- COMCASA (2018): Allows secure, encrypted military communications
- BECA (2020): Facilitates sharing of geospatial and satellite data
While US agreements enhance interoperability within the QUAD framework, RELOS underscores India’s strategic autonomy by preserving deep defence ties with Russia.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
RELOS highlights India’s continued pursuit of multi-alignment — engaging competing power centres without formal alliances. For Russia, it offers a reliable Asian partner amid strained ties with the West. For the global order, the pact signals that logistics, access, and sustainment are becoming as central to military power as weapons platforms themselves.
What to Note for Prelims?
- RELOS is a logistics support agreement between India and Russia.
- It allows reciprocal access to bases for refuelling, repairs, and maintenance.
- Similar in concept to India’s LEMOA with the US, but distinct in partners.
What to Note for Mains?
- Analyse RELOS as an example of India’s strategic autonomy in defence diplomacy.
- Discuss the role of logistics agreements in modern power projection.
- Evaluate how India balances ties with Russia and the US amid Indo-Pacific competition.
