India, Russia operationalises Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS)

India and Russia have operationalised the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), signed in February 2025 in Moscow. The agreement marks a major step forward in deepening military cooperation between the two long-standing strategic partners.

Key Highlights

• Mutual Military Access: Both countries can now use each other’s army bases, naval ports, and air bases for logistics support.
• Troop Deployment Provision: The pact allows stationing of up to 3,000 military personnel, along with 5 warships and 10 fighter aircraft in each other’s territory.
• Duration: Initially valid for 5 years, with scope for extension.
• Operational Scope: Applicable in both peacetime and wartime scenarios.

Strategic Significance

• Arctic Reach for India: India gains access to key Russian ports such as Murmansk Port and Severomorsk Naval Base, enhancing its strategic footprint in the Arctic region.
• Indian Ocean Access for Russia: Russia, in turn, can leverage Indian naval facilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for refuelling and maintenance.
• Cost & Efficiency Gains: The agreement reduces operational costs and transit time for long-distance military missions.

Logistics & Financial Mechanism

• The pact includes provisions for:
  • Refuelling, repairs, spare parts, and supplies
  • Exchange of goods and services
  • Cost reimbursement through barter, reducing reliance on direct financial transactions

Comparison with US Agreement

India has a similar logistics pact with the United States, known as Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).

• While both agreements allow reciprocal access to military facilities, RELOS goes further by permitting stationing of troops and military assets, which is not part of LEMOA.

Why It Matters

The operationalisation of RELOS reflects:

• India’s push for multi-alignment in defence partnerships
• Strengthening of India–Russia strategic autonomy

Expansion of India’s global military logistics network, from the Indian Ocean to the Arctic.