India-Russia RELOS Agreement: Strategic Relevance in the Emerging Multipolar Order

The military treaty between India and Russia, through which India is able to get logistical support from Russian military bases in exchange for providing such facilities in India to the Russians, has been called the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS).

India had already signed such pacts with countries like the United States, France, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan before signing the RELOS pact with Russia. This clearly indicates that India does not want to neglect its defence from any angle, even when it is allied with Russia. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) pact was signed between New Delhi and Moscow in February 2025 and became effective in April 2026. The pact facilitates the sharing of each other's bases, ports, and both sides have agreed to station 5 battleships,10 fighter planes and up to 3000 military personnel.

History of India-Russia Military Relations

It is essential to examine the history of military relations between India and Russia to gain insights into the relevance of RELOS. During the Cold War era, India and the erstwhile Soviet Union enjoyed cordial diplomatic and strategic relations. Though India pursued the policy of non-alignment during this period, the Soviet Union proved to be the most dependable strategic partner of India after the sixties. Another milestone in bilateral ties is the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1971. During the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, the Soviet Union played a pivotal role in diplomatically backing India.

Over the decades, the Soviet Union provided state-of-the-art military equipment to India in the form of MiG fighter jets, T-72 tanks, submarines, and missiles. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia inherited the strategic partnership with India.

Some significant military cooperation agreements have solidified this strategic alliance:

1) BrahMos supersonic cruise missile joint venture.

2) Leasing of nuclear-powered submarines to India.

3) Transfer of the S-400 air defence missile system.

4) Cooperation in aircraft carrier operations like INS Vikramaditya.

5) Indra military exercises.

Although India has diversified its military procurement in recent times, Russia continues to provide India with a considerable proportion of its military hardware.

Signing of the Treaty

The RELOS Treaty was signed in order to enhance coordination in the activities of the armed forces of India and Russia. The RELOS Treaty allows both sides to enjoy access to military bases and logistics capabilities of each other’s armed forces.

RELOS states that:

Military vessels of India, as well as ships of the Indian Navy, will have access to the Russian ports for refuelling, repairs, and logistics. Likewise, the Russian armed forces will also have access to the Indian ports. Simplification in procedures concerning military operations and exercises will be achieved. This will help to facilitate distant deployments as well as maritime cooperation. Such a treaty is needed because of the increase in geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific area and the Arctic regions. Russia was interested in the Indian Ocean Region, whereas India was expanding its naval strength.

Strategic Importance of the RELOS Agreement

1. Maritime Cooperation

One of the major importance of the RELOS agreement lies in the maritime aspect of it. As we know, India enjoys a very strategically important position in the Indian Ocean, while Russia is interested in expanding into Asian waters. The RELOS agreement will allow Russia to utilise the logistics facilities in its deployment, while India will be able to reach up north in the Arctic region through RELOS.

RELOS will allow for joint naval exercises between both sides, cooperation in maritime security, and addressing issues related to piracy, terrorism, and illegal trading.

2. Strategic Autonomy of India

India’s foreign policy follows the doctrine of strategic autonomy, implying that India does not belong to any particular group of countries. Through its logistics arrangements with various countries like Russia and the US, India is showcasing the multi-alignment policy followed by the country.

Through the RELOS agreement, India is demonstrating its ties with Russia without losing out on its association with Western countries.

3. Enhancing Defence Readiness

Logistics pacts help eliminate delays associated with military training and operations. Use of infrastructure and logistics enables smooth and efficient training and operations.

In case Indian warships deploy outside their home waters, the use of Russian logistical sites will make their mission much easier. In the same way, Russian forces stationed near the Indian Ocean will benefit from the Indian logistical base.

4. Facilitating Combined Military Training Exercises

India and Russia have been conducting the INDRA series of military training exercises with participation from the three branches of the armed forces. The RELOS agreement helps in conducting such exercises with ease.

Economic and Technological Aspects

The RELOS Treaty is more than just an agreement about military cooperation; it also has certain economic and technological importance. There is a technology transfer component when it comes to military cooperation between India and Russia. Thus, the implementation of the Indian “Make in India” initiative in the sphere of military production can be based on the Russian experience in such areas as missile technologies, jet engines, submarines, and space technologies. Projects like BrahMos show that Indo-Russian military cooperation may lead to innovation. It will facilitate military industry cooperation due to easier transport of equipment and experts.

Challenges and Criticisms

Though there exist several benefits of the RELOS Agreement for both sides, this deal still raises some criticism.

1. India’s Balancing Problem

India is allied with Russia as well as Western countries, including the USA. But political tension between Russia and Western nations after the Ukraine conflict makes this policy quite difficult for India.

According to certain critics, India’s cooperation with Russia might make its relations with Western states worse. Other experts claim that India’s balanced diplomatic stance makes it possible to get along with all major world powers.

2. Dependence on Russian Weapons

India has long been purchasing Russian military equipment. This strategy might pose a threat to India because of possible problems with spare parts, maintenance, and geopolitics.

India is trying to import more defence equipment from different countries. India has also increased its defence products manufacturing. But Russian weaponry is still widespread among the Indian armed forces.

3. The Problem of Sanctions and Geopolitics

Certain sanctions imposed on Russia by the West may affect the defence cooperation between India and Russia indirectly. India and Russia can encounter difficulties with financial transactions, technology transfer, and logistics.

India and Russia are trying to find alternatives for payments in their trade relations in national currencies.

Current Status of the Agreement

At present, the RELOS Agreement represents the continuation of strategic cooperation between Russia and India. In spite of India's involvement in cooperation with other countries, including the USA, France, Australia, and Japan, Russia preserves its strategic relationship with India. The purchases of modern military equipment from Russia, like S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems by India, continue regardless of external pressures. Additionally, India and Russia cooperate in terms of energy resources, nuclear power, and aerospace research.

The current scenarios, where the mentioned agreement can be seen as playing a crucial role, involve:

1) Militarisation of the Indo-Pacific region.

2) Struggle between global powers.

3) Security problems at sea.

4) Energy and trade route politics.

Way Ahead

It can be predicted that the future of the India-Russia RELOS Agreement will depend on changes in the world geopolitical situation, the intensification of maritime competition, and mutual strategic benefits of both parties. It would help both sides to reinforce their naval cooperation, conduct more joint drills and logistical cooperation. In future years, both nations will probably increase cooperation in defence-related fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, drones, hypersonic missiles, and missile defence in outer space.

As Russian geopolitical interests become concentrated on the Arctic region, there will be new opportunities for cooperation for India regarding energy, commerce, and scientific development. As a whole, the RELOS Agreement is not just a deal for the provision of military logistics, but an indicator of the long-term strategic relationship of India and Russia. Being developed based on a long period of cooperation and a high level of trust, this agreement will boost military coordination and enhance maritime security cooperation. While there are various issues associated with Western sanctions on Russia, power competition in the international arena, and the balancing policy adopted by India, the RELOS Agreement has become a solid basis for the future.