Thursday 23 / April / 2026
New Delhi: The Indo-Russian Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), signed in 2025, has come into force, enabling reciprocal access to military facilities such as bases, ports, and airfields primarily for logistical support, supplies, and operational needs.
The agreement is a landmark military pact between India and Russia that allows for the mutual exchange of logistics, supplying, and base services between their armed forces. Signed in February 2025 and officially operationalized in April 2026, it allows both nations to use each other's naval, air, and ground bases for fuel, repairs, and supplies.
Key Aspects of the Agreement:
Logistical Support: The agreement covers refueling, repairs, maintenance, and supplies during joint military exercises, training, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR) missions.
Access to Bases: It grants India access to key Russian naval and air bases, including in the Arctic and Vladivostok regions, while providing Russia access to Indian military facilities.
Personnel & Equipment Limits: The agreement allows both nations to simultaneously station up to 3,000 troops, five warships, and ten military aircraft in each other’s territory.
Operational Scope: The agreement is designed for a five-year term with an automatic extension clause.
Strategic Autonomy: The deal strengthens India's military independence by providing a "win-win" partnership with Russia, enabling India to manage its 60%+ Russian-origin military hardware while maneuvering within a complex global environment.
Arctic Presence: It enables the Indian Navy to increase its operational reach into the Arctic region, which is essential as global shipping routes open there.
Indo-Pacific and Eurasia Focus: The pact allows for enhanced military interoperability between the two countries in both the Indo-Pacific and Eurasian regions.
Reducing Financial Hurdles: The agreement provides a framework that lowers dependence on conventional banking channels and hedges against potential sanctions disrupting defense repairs and supplies.
The agreement was signed in Moscow on February 18, 2025, and reached full operationalization following formal ratification by both governments in late 2025 and early 2026.
