India–Russia Defence Ties Deepen as RELOS Agreement Secures Russian Parliamentary Approval

On 3 December 2025, the lower house of the Russian Parliament ratified the long-pending Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) Agreement with India. This approval comes just days ahead of the scheduled high-level state visit by the Russian President to New Delhi, signalling renewed momentum in the bilateral defence partnership.

The RELOS pact facilitates logistical support, supplies, and services between the armed forces of the two countries, covering access to bases, ports, repair facilities, fuel, and provisions. Once the Indian Parliament completes its parallel approval process, the agreement is expected to fully operationalize, marking a significant upgrade in bilateral defence cooperation.

Implications for Bilateral Ties & Strategic Cooperation

1. Strengthens Defence Interoperability
   RELOS will enable Indian and Russian forces to support each other during exercises, port calls, ship visits, and humanitarian operations. This improves operational readiness, lowers logistical constraints, and enhances the ease of conducting joint military activities.
2. Enhances India’s Operational Reach
   The agreement gives India greater access to Russian facilities in the Arctic, Far East, and Central Asian regions — areas of rising strategic importance. Russia, in turn, will gain access to Indian ports in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), bolstering naval cooperation.
3. Reaffirms Long-Standing Defence Partnership
   Despite India’s growing defence diversification and deepening ties with Western partners, the ratification signals that New Delhi and Moscow continue to value their historical defence relationship. Russia remains a key supplier of critical systems, including tanks, submarines, missiles, and nuclear technologies.
4. Balancing Diplomacy in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
   At a time of global turbulence and bloc politics, the pact illustrates India’s commitment to strategic autonomy. By strengthening ties with Russia while engaging the West and Indo-Pacific democracies, India continues to navigate a balanced, multi-alignment foreign policy.
5. Boost Ahead of High-Level Engagement
   The timing of the approval sets a positive backdrop for the upcoming summit, where further agreements on energy, connectivity, and defence production may be discussed.

Conclusion

The parliamentary ratification of the RELOS Agreement represents a significant step forward in India–Russia military cooperation. It enhances logistical capabilities, reinforces defence ties, and reflects India’s nuanced diplomacy in a complex global order — all while preparing the stage for a high-impact bilateral visit.