Introduction

The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement between India and Russia marks a strategic milestone in defence cooperation. On December 3, 2024, Russia's lower house of parliament, the Duma, officially ratified this long-pending military pact—a day before Vladimir Putin's two-day state visit to New Delhi (December 4-5, 2024). This development strengthens India-Russia strategic ties and opens new dimensions for India's military capabilities, particularly its Arctic operations and Indian Ocean presence.

For UPSC aspirants, this agreement represents a pivotal moment in understanding India's foreign policy, defence partnerships, and geopolitical positioning in an increasingly multipolar world.

What is the RELOS Agreement?

The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) is a bilateral military logistics pact that enables both countries to provide mutual support for their armed forces. Unlike traditional defence treaties focused on weapon systems or technology sharing, RELOS addresses the operational backbone of modern warfare: logistics.

Key Features of RELOS:

Mutual facility access: Military aircraft, ships, and armed forces personnel from both nations can use each other's military facilities and infrastructure

Logistical support services: Fuel, oil, spare parts, maintenance support, berthing rights, and air base access

Operational scope: Joint exercises, training programmes, humanitarian operations, and disaster-relief missions

Regulatory framework: The agreement standardizes all reciprocal logistic services and formalizes existing ad-hoc practices

Deployment limits: Maximum of 5 warships, 10 aircraft, and 3,000 military personnel can be simultaneously stationed in partner territory for a 5-year period (extendable for another 5 years)

Airspace and port access: Authorization to use each other's airspace and ports, including warship visits

Timeline of the Agreement:

Strategic Benefits for India

1. Arctic Region Access and Operational Reach

The most significant advantage for India is unrestricted access to Russian naval port facilities in the Arctic, particularly along the Northern Sea Route extending from Vladivostok to Murmansk. This is transformative for Indian Navy operations because:

India currently lacks a permanent presence in Arctic waters

Russian ports provide strategic refueling and maintenance hubs for Indian naval assets

Indian warships can now operate in polar waters with continuous logistical support

The Indian Navy can expand its operational reach beyond the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions

The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) notes that RELOS will enhance the Indian Navy's experience in polar waters—a critical skill as Arctic geopolitics intensifies due to climate change and melting ice.

2. Scientific and Arctic Ambitions

Beyond military applications, RELOS supports India's civilian Arctic research agenda:

India maintains a permanently-manned Arctic Research Station on Spitsbergen (Svalbard)

The agreement facilitates logistics for Indian scientists conducting Arctic research

Access to Russian ports strengthens India's scientific infrastructure in the region

Enhanced Arctic presence aligns with India's broader climate and environmental research objectives

3. Hardware and Equipment Continuity

A significant portion of India's military hardware originates from Russia:

Sukhoi fighter jets (Su-30MKI, Su-57)

T-90 main battle tanks

S-400 air defence systems

Submarine technology

Integration with Russian logistics networks ensures continuity of supply, maintenance, and technical support for these systems. RELOS eliminates bureaucratic delays in obtaining spare parts and maintenance services critical for operational readiness.

4. Long-Distance Naval Deployments

Indian Navy operates 12-15 warships independently across the Indo-Pacific for multi-mission deployments including:

Monitoring critical chokepoints in the Indian Ocean

Ensuring safe passage of international trade

Maritime domain awareness

Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)

Counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations

Previously, each warship required dedicated logistics support ships. RELOS provides friendly ports with logistical facilities, eliminating this requirement and increasing operational efficiency.

Strategic Benefits for Russia

1. Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Access

While India gains Arctic access, Russia secures entry points and support hubs across the Indian Ocean Region, enabling Moscow to:

Project military strength in Asia-Pacific despite Western sanctions

Counter Chinese influence in strategic waters

Maintain global reach without establishing expensive permanent military bases

Access Indian ports for refueling and maintenance of Russian naval vessels

2. Circumventing Western Sanctions

With Western nations imposing sanctions due to the Ukraine conflict, RELOS provides Russia:

Alternative logistics networks beyond Western-controlled regions

Continued global military presence and operational capability

Strategic partnerships to offset geopolitical isolation

3. Cost-Effective Military Projection

Rather than establishing permanent military bases (which require significant time and financial investment), Russia can:

Deploy naval and air assets to the Indian Ocean on a temporary basis

Utilize Indian facilities for maintenance and resupply

Project power strategically without long-term commitments

How RELOS Differs from Similar Agreements

India has signed comparable logistics agreements with multiple countries, establishing a pattern of strategic partnership:

LEMOA Context: India signed its first major logistics agreement (LEMOA) with the United States in 2016, realizing the strategic value of such pacts after observing China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. RELOS with Russia follows the same strategic logic.

Significance of RELOS in India-Russia Relations

Historical Context

The RELOS agreement comes at a critical juncture for India-Russia relations:

2024 marks the 25-year anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership (established 2000)

The partnership was elevated to "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" in December 2010

This is Putin's first visit to India since the 2022 Ukraine invasion, signaling sustained commitment despite geopolitical tensions

The ratification timing—just before Putin's visit—demonstrates tangible progress in defence cooperation

Expert Perspective

Defence analyst Girish Linganna writes: "If done right, Relos could give India the logistical backbone to truly become a global naval power." This encapsulates the transformative potential of the agreement for India's maritime ambitions.

Why RELOS Matters: Operational Efficiency

According to the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), logistics agreements like RELOS provide several operational advantages:

Saves enormous time in military operations

Eliminates bureaucratic delays associated with obtaining logistical support from partner nations

Streamlines processes for refueling, berthing, and use of aviation infrastructure

Enables rolling settlement of costs and fees rather than requiring constant paperwork and formal approvals

This efficiency is crucial during joint exercises, humanitarian missions, and emergency deployments.

Timing and Geopolitical Context

Why December 2024?

The ratification timing is significant:

Putin's state visit (December 4-5) demonstrates unified intent between Moscow and New Delhi

25-year partnership anniversary warrants affirmation of commitment

Western pressure on India regarding Russia relations—RELOS shows India's strategic autonomy

Arctic warming and climate change make Arctic cooperation increasingly relevant

Indo-Pacific tensions require India to strengthen partnerships and expand operational reach

India's Strategic Autonomy

While Western nations pressure India to "pick sides" in geopolitical contests, RELOS demonstrates that India pursues strategic autonomy:

India maintains partnerships across the Global North and Global South

India prioritizes pragmatic bilateral relations based on mutual benefit

India balances partnerships with the US, Russia, and other nations without compromising independence

Specific Military Hardware and Arctic Operations

Indian Vessels and Arctic Capabilities

RELOS particularly benefits platforms like:

INS Vikramaditya (Aircraft Carrier)

Talwar-class Frigates

Scorpene-class Submarines

Survey vessels conducting Arctic research

These platforms now have certified logistical support in Arctic ports, enabling extended operations and research missions.

Energy Security Dimension

India already imports Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Russia's Yamal Peninsula in the Arctic. RELOS ensures that:

Indian naval assets protecting energy supply chains can operate in Arctic waters

Logistical security is guaranteed for protecting critical economic infrastructure

India's energy diversification strategy is supported by military logistics

Implications for India-China Relations

While not explicitly mentioned in the agreement, RELOS carries implications for India-China dynamics:

Enhanced Indian Navy presence in global waters counters Chinese maritime expansion

Arctic access allows India to monitor and participate in Arctic geopolitics as China increases Arctic involvement

Russia-India partnership creates a counterweight to potential China-Russia dominance in Arctic affairs

Indian Ocean operations with Russian support balance Chinese activities in the region

Related Current Affairs for UPSC Aspirants

To contextualize this agreement, aspirants should understand:

India's Arctic Policy – India's dual role as a climate researcher and geopolitical player

Indo-Pacific Strategy – India's broader maritime doctrine and security framework

Russia-Ukraine War Impact – How sanctions affect India-Russia cooperation

India-US Defence Relations – LEMOA and other foundational agreements

Climate Change and Arctic – Geopolitical implications of melting Arctic ice

Northern Sea Route – Commercial and strategic importance for global trade

Multi-alignment Foreign Policy – India's strategy in a multipolar world

Why This Matters for Your Exam Preparation

UPSC Relevance

The RELOS agreement directly relates to several UPSC examination themes:

1. International Relations and Foreign Policy

Strategic partnerships: How India balances relationships with multiple powers

Bilateral agreements: Understanding mutual benefit and strategic alignment

Geopolitical positioning: India's role in Indo-Pacific, Arctic, and global security architecture

Non-alignment tradition: Contemporary interpretation of strategic autonomy

2. Defence and Security

Military logistics: Understanding modern naval operations and support requirements

Armed forces modernization: Integration of Russian military hardware in Indian forces

Maritime security: Indian Navy's expanding operational reach and capabilities

Joint military cooperation: Mechanisms for coordinated defence operations

3. Geopolitics and Global Politics

Arctic geopolitics: Climate-driven geopolitical competition in polar regions

US-Russia tensions: How India navigates between Western and non-Western powers

Sanctions regime: Impact of Western sanctions on strategic partnerships

China factor: How India-Russia partnership affects regional balance of power

4. Infrastructure and Connectivity

Northern Sea Route: New maritime corridors and their strategic significance

Port development: Strategic importance of port facilities in logistics

Climate change: How environmental shifts create new geopolitical opportunities and challenges

5. Science and Technology

Arctic research: India's civilian scientific programs in polar regions

Technology cooperation: Russian technology in Indian military platforms

Climate science: Arctic monitoring and climate research initiatives

Potential Exam Questions

UPSC candidates should be prepared for questions such as:

"Explain the significance of the India-Russia RELOS agreement in the context of India's Arctic ambitions."

"How do logistics agreements like RELOS enhance operational capabilities of navies engaged in distant deployments?"

"Analyze the strategic implications of RELOS for India-China relations in the Arctic region."

"Discuss India's strategy of maintaining strategic partnerships across the Global North and Global South, with RELOS as a case study."

"How does the RELOS agreement address India's energy security concerns in the Arctic?"

"Compare India's logistics agreements with different nations (US LEMOA, Russia RELOS). What common threads emerge?"

Key Takeaways for Aspirants

Strategic autonomy is paramount: India pursues partnerships with all major powers without subordinating independence

Logistics is critical infrastructure: Modern military power depends on supply chains and maintenance networks, not just weapons systems

Arctic is the new frontier: Climate change is reshaping geopolitics; Arctic cooperation will define 21st-century rivalries

Long-term thinking: The RELOS agreement, though signed in February 2025, was in negotiations for nearly 6 years—demonstrating patience in strategic planning

Win-win frameworks: Effective international agreements provide mutual benefits, not zero-sum arrangements

Diversification of partnerships: India's multiple logistics agreements prevent overdependence on any single power

Research Strategy for UPSC Preparation

When studying RELOS and related topics:

Read foundational texts: Study India's Arctic Policy, National Security Strategy, and foreign policy documents

Follow expert analysis: Monitor think tanks like IDSA, ORF, and Brookings Institution for strategic commentary

Track bilateral developments: Follow India-Russia military cooperation, Indo-US defence relationships, and emerging Arctic policies

Connect to broader themes: Link RELOS to India's maritime doctrine, China containment strategy, and global positioning

Understand precedents: Compare with LEMOA and other agreements to identify patterns in Indian strategic thinking

Conclusion

The India-Russia RELOS agreement represents a watershed moment in India's strategic positioning. By securing logistics access to Russian Arctic facilities, India gains operational reach in polar waters, scientific research capabilities, and a crucial logistical partner for its global naval presence. Simultaneously, Russia maintains relevance in Asian geopolitics despite Western sanctions.

For UPSC aspirants, this agreement exemplifies how modern international relations blend defence, logistics, climate change, and strategic autonomy. Understanding RELOS provides insights into India's foreign policy decision-making, maritime strategy, and positioning in a multipolar world—all critical themes for competitive examinations.

As India's military modernization accelerates and Arctic geopolitics intensifies, agreements like RELOS will define the nation's capacity to project power, conduct humanitarian operations, and participate in emerging strategic frontiers like the Arctic region.

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Last Updated: December 4, 2025
Category: Current Affairs | Defence | International Relations | UPSC Preparation