New Delhi: India and Russia have signed the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) agreement, a defence cooperation pact aimed at enhancing logistical coordination between the armed forces of the two countries. The agreement was signed in 2025 and became operational in 2026.

The agreement allows both nations to access each other’s military facilities—including airbases and naval ports—for logistics support such as refuelling, maintenance, and supplies during joint exercises, training missions, humanitarian assistance, and emergency operations.

Officials clarified that the RELOS pact does not permit permanent deployment of troops or establishment of military bases in either country. Instead, it enables temporary access to facilities strictly for operational support.

The pact is expected to strengthen long-standing defence ties between India and Russia while improving the ability of both militaries to operate efficiently during joint activities and missions beyond their borders.

Strategically, the agreement could enhance India’s operational reach in regions such as the Arctic through Russian infrastructure, while providing Russia improved access to areas in the Indian Ocean region.

Sources: Reports from NDTV, India Today, and other verified media outlets.