[Answered] Examine the strategic significance of the India–Russia RELOS agreement in expanding India’s maritime footprint from the Arctic to the Indo-Pacific. Analyze its impact on India’s ‘Strategic Autonomy’ amidst shifting global geopolitical alignments and security architectures.

Introduction

India’s maritime strategy is evolving amid great-power rivalry, Arctic opening, and Indo-Pacific militarisation. The India–Russia RELOS agreement reflects India’s pursuit of extended naval reach while preserving strategic autonomy.

RELOS: Nature of the Agreement

1. Reciprocal Logistics Support: India–Russia Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) enables mutual access to bases for refuelling, repairs, and maintenance during exercises, deployments, and HADR.
2. Institutionalised Military Mobility: Covers warships, military aircraft, and formations, creating predictable logistics interoperability without alliance commitments.

Expanding India’s Maritime Footprint

1. Arctic Access: Access to Russian facilities like Murmansk enhances India’s reach into the Arctic, a region gaining salience due to energy resources and new sea routes. Complements India’s Arctic Policy (2022) focused on energy security and climate research.
2. Indo-Pacific Reach: Russian bases in the Far East (e.g., Vladivostok) support India’s eastern maritime operations, reinforcing presence beyond the Indian Ocean.
3. Blue-Water Capability: RELOS supports long-range deployments, critical for India’s transition from a regional to a net security provider (SAGAR doctrine).

Comparative Strategic Context

1. Parallel Logistics Pacts: RELOS mirrors India’s logistics agreements such as LEMOA with the US and similar arrangements with France, Australia, and Japan.
2. Multi-Alignment Strategy: Unlike alliance-based architectures, RELOS fits India’s issue-based partnerships across competing power blocs.

Impact on Strategic Autonomy

1. Preservation of Decision-Making Sovereignty: RELOS does not mandate joint operations, basing rights, or automatic military support.
2. Hedging in a Polarised World: Even as India deepens engagement with the QUAD, RELOS sustains defence ties with Russia, avoiding over-dependence on any single power.
3. Operational Flexibility: Enhances India’s ability to operate across theatres without being constrained by bloc politics.

Geopolitical Significance amid Global Flux

1. Multipolar Security Architecture: Russia’s strategic footprint from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean complements India’s vision of a multipolar order.
2. Balancing China Factor: While Russia–China proximity has grown, RELOS ensures India retains strategic leverage in Eurasian geopolitics.
3. Global Commons Governance: Supports freedom of navigation, HADR missions, and maritime domain awareness in contested spaces.

Strategic and Operational Benefits

1. Force Sustainment: Reduces logistical strain during long deployments, especially for Russian-origin platforms used by India.
2. Interoperability without Alignment: Builds operational familiarity while stopping short of alliance-style integration.
3. Energy and Trade Security (Indirect): Maritime reach supports protection of sea lanes critical for energy imports.

Concerns and Limitations

1. Perception Management: Risk of misinterpretation by Western partners amid sanctions on Russia.
2. Russia’s Strategic Constraints: Russia’s growing dependence on China may limit long-term strategic convergence.
3. Operational Scope: Effectiveness depends on political will during crises, not merely legal provisions.

Way Forward

1. Doctrine Integration: Align RELOS with India’s maritime doctrine and Arctic engagement strategy.
2. Transparency and Balance: Clearly communicate non-alliance nature to partners in the Indo-Pacific.
3. Capacity Building: Use logistics access to enhance joint exercises, HADR readiness, and maritime diplomacy.

Conclusion

As Kautilya noted in the Arthashastra, power lies in flexibility. RELOS strengthens India’s maritime reach while preserving autonomy—an adaptive strategy suited to an increasingly fragmented global order.