Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS)

Context

In January 2026, the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) between India and Russia was officially operationalised. The agreement streamlines administrative and technical military cooperation while strengthening bilateral defence logistics and reinforcing India's policy of strategic autonomy.

About the News

Background

RELOS is a foundational, non-offensive logistics support agreement that enables reciprocal access to each other's military bases, airfields, and ports for refuelling, supplies, maintenance, medical support, and other logistics services during mutually agreed military activities.

Timeline and Bilateral Foundation

• Signing: Signed in Moscow on 18 February 2025.
• Operationalisation: Entered into force in January 2026 after completion of domestic ratification procedures.
• Participants: A bilateral agreement between India and Russia with an initial validity of five years.

Objective

The agreement seeks to simplify military logistics by replacing case-by-case administrative approvals with a standardized accounting and reimbursement mechanism. This reduces delays, improves operational efficiency, and extends the operational reach of both countries' armed forces.

Key Features of the Agreement

• Permitted Operations: RELOS applies only during mutually agreed activities such as joint military exercises (INDRA series), training programmes, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, and scheduled port visits.
• Administrative Ceiling: The agreement allows temporary accommodation of up to 3,000 military personnel, five warships, and ten aircraft during joint activities. This is only an administrative limit and does not permit permanent deployment.
• Comprehensive Logistics Support: The agreement provides reciprocal access to:
  • Food, drinking water, and temporary accommodation.
  • Fuel, petroleum products, oils, lubricants (POL), and transportation services.
  • Medical assistance, warehousing, port facilities, and repair services.
  • Spare parts, equipment maintenance, calibration, and technical support for military platforms.
• No Permanent Basing: RELOS explicitly prohibits the establishment of permanent military bases or long-term stationing of troops and military assets in either country.

Strategic Significance

• Expanded Operational Reach: The agreement provides India with access to more than 40 Russian naval bases and airfields, enhancing operational capabilities in the Arctic, Northern Sea Route, and the Russian Far East, including Vladivostok.
• Russian Access to the Indian Ocean: Russian naval vessels gain logistics support at Indian facilities, improving operational endurance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) without establishing permanent bases.
• Alternative Maritime Connectivity: Access to Russian ports strengthens alternative trade and strategic routes, reducing dependence on vulnerable chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and supporting the Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor.
• Strategic Autonomy: By operationalising RELOS alongside agreements such as LEMOA with the United States, India reinforces its policy of multi-alignment without entering into formal military alliances.

Challenges

• Public Misinterpretation: The temporary personnel limits have sometimes been incorrectly interpreted as allowing permanent foreign troop deployment, requiring official clarification.
• Geopolitical Balancing: India must carefully balance defence cooperation with Russia while maintaining strong strategic partnerships with Western countries and Quad members.
• Financial Settlement Mechanisms: Efficient implementation requires robust accounting and payment systems despite global financial and banking constraints.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Operational Coordination

Develop seamless digital accounting systems and standardized operational procedures to facilitate faster logistics support during joint deployments.

• Leverage Arctic Opportunities

Utilise access to Russian Arctic infrastructure to expand scientific research, maritime surveillance, and energy connectivity through the Northern Sea Route.

• Preserve Strategic Autonomy

Continue pursuing issue-based defence partnerships with multiple countries while maintaining an independent foreign policy and avoiding formal military alliances.

Conclusion

The operationalisation of RELOS marks a significant advancement in the India–Russia defence partnership by shifting cooperation beyond traditional arms procurement toward structured logistical collaboration. By expanding India's strategic reach into the Arctic and Eurasian regions while preserving its independent foreign policy, the agreement strengthens long-range military readiness and reinforces India's role as a multi-aligned global power.