UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 –International Relation
Introduction
India and Russia have moved to institutionalise their long-standing defence cooperation through the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) agreement. Signed into Russian federal law days after President Vladimir Putin’s December 4–5 visit to New Delhi, the agreement establishes a formal framework for mutual logistical support. Beyond routine military cooperation, RELOS strengthens India’s operational reach across the Indo-Pacific and Arctic regions while reinforcing Russia’s presence in the Indian Ocean.
Understanding RELOS
RELOS is a formal logistics arrangement between India and Russia that tells both militaries how they can support each other during military activities.
It creates a clear system for moving troops, warships, and military aircraft between the two countries and for giving basic operational support when one side’s forces are operating on the other side’s territory.
Under RELOS, both countries can provide refuelling, repairs, maintenance, and other support services to each other’s forces.
It also lays down rules for the mutual use of airspace by military aircraft and for port calls by warships. This means Indian and Russian forces do not have to depend only on informal arrangements each time they need such support.
The agreement is meant to be used mainly during joint military exercises and training. It also applies during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
At the same time, RELOS is flexible, because it allows both sides to use its provisions in other situations too, but only when both countries agree.
Strategic Significance for India
- Access to Russian military bases: RELOS provides India with institutional access to Russian air and naval bases. These extend from Vladivostok in the Pacific to Murmansk in the Arctic.
- Extended operational reach: Access to more than 40 Russian bases allows Indian naval and air forces to operate farther from home. This supports long-range deployments and sustained operations.
- Support for Russian-origin platforms: A large share of India’s military inventory is of Russian origin. RELOS ensures refuelling, repairs, and maintenance support for these platforms during overseas operations.
- Indo-Pacific and Arctic linkage: The agreement strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific strategy by leveraging Russia’s geographic reach. It also opens pathways towards Arctic operations and northern maritime routes.
- Operational readiness and continuity: By formalising logistics support, RELOS boosts readiness and reduces uncertainty during deployments. It replaces informal arrangements with predictable institutional mechanisms.
Strategic Significance for Russia
- Access to Indian ports and airfields: Russian forces gain access to Indian ports and airfields for refuelling, repairs, and operational support. This strengthens Russia’s military footprint in the Indian Ocean.
- Institutionalised presence in the Indian Ocean: RELOS formalises logistical backing for Russian naval operations in the region. It allows sustained engagement rather than ad hoc arrangements.
- Reinforcing multipolar positioning: The agreement supports Russia’s effort to strengthen defence partnerships outside Western alliances. It aligns with Russia’s pursuit of a multipolar global order.
India’s Wider Logistics Agreement Network
- Multiple logistics partners
- India has signed logistics agreements with the United States, France, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, and Japan. India has also nearly finalised a similar agreement with the United Kingdom.
- This wider set of agreements shows India is building logistics access with several partners, so it can support deployments through more than one set of facilities.
- India’s Strategic Autonomy: India maintains logistics agreements with several countries while avoiding formal alliances. RELOS fits into this broader strategy of diversified partnerships.
RELOS in Relation to India’s US Defence Agreements
Comparison : RELOS is often compared with India’s agreements with the United States because all of them support military operations in different ways. However, the purpose of each agreement is different.
COMCASA: The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) allows the US to provide India encrypted communication equipment and systems. It helps Indian and US military leaders, ships, and aircraft communicate through secure networks in peace and conflict.
BECA: The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) supports information sharing linked to high-end military technology. It includes access to United States geospatial, satellite, and drone data.
RELOS: The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) sets procedures for the movement of troops, warships, and military aircraft between India and Russia. It provides a framework for refuelling, repairs, maintenance, mutual use of airspace, and port calls, based on the India–Russia defence relationship.
Key difference: The United States agreements strengthen India as a key United States partner in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) to balance Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific. RELOS is tailored to the India–Russia dynamic and focuses on institutional logistics support between the two sides.
Conclusion
RELOS represents a decisive step in formalising India–Russia defence logistics cooperation. It expands India’s operational reach from the Indo-Pacific to the Arctic while ensuring sustained support for Russian-origin military platforms. For Russia, it institutionalises access to the Indian Ocean and strengthens its role in a multipolar global order. The agreement reflects India’s strategy of maintaining strategic autonomy through diversified defence partnerships.
Question for practice:
Evaluate the strategic significance of the India–Russia Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) agreement in the context of India’s wider logistics partnerships and its approach to strategic autonomy.
Source: Indian Express
