The strategic partnership between India and Russia has entered a powerful new phase with the implementation of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics (RELOS) agreement. According to documents published on Russia’s official legal portal, the pact allows both nations to utilize each other’s military facilities for logistics, refueling, and maintenance. Under this agreement, both countries can simultaneously deploy up to 3000 troops, 5 warships, and 10 military aircraft on each other’s soil for joint exercises or humanitarian missions. Most importantly, this provides India with direct access to strategic Russian ports in the Arctic and Far East, such as Vladivostok and Murmansk.
This logistics pact is considered a masterstroke for India’s strategic autonomy, mirroring the LEMOA agreement with the US but tailored specifically for Indo-Russian defense needs. It significantly extends the operational reach of the Indian Navy and Air Force beyond the Indian Ocean. While the agreement technically became effective in early 2026, the detailed operational limits have only now been made public. Valid for an initial five years, the pact will automatically extend unless contested. In an era of global geopolitical shifts, this deal underscores that the trust between New Delhi and Moscow remains unshakable, moving beyond a buyer-seller dynamic toward a deep, mutual strategic reliance.