Russia Ratifies RELOS Pact with India Ahead of Putin–Modi Summit; Troop, Warship Exchanges to Begin
In a significant boost to India–Russia defence relations, Moscow has formally approved a major military cooperation pact just days before President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on December 4–5. The State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, has ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement, paving the way for seamless movement of troops, warships and military aircraft between the two countries during joint missions and operations.
Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson stated that Russia intends to utilize the New Delhi summit to safeguard its trade ties with India from US sanctions. The summit, an annual occurrence before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will be held in New Delhi on Friday, December 5.
Several pacts are on the agenda, including the deepening of defence cooperation and the insulation of trade from US sanctions.
The RELOS pact, originally signed on February 18, outlines a clear procedure for the deployment of Russian military formations to India and vice versa.
- It also defines mechanisms for providing mutual logistical assistance, including access to each other’s bases, ports and airfields.
- The agreement is expected to significantly enhance interoperability between the two-armed forces during joint drills, humanitarian missions, training exercises, and disaster-relief operations.
- Announcing its approval, State Duma Speaker emphasised the depth of the strategic relationship shared between New Delhi and Moscow.
“Our relations with India are strategic and comprehensive, and we value them. Today’s ratification marks another step towards greater reciprocity and the continued strengthening of our partnership,” Speaker Volodin said during the plenary session.
A note published on the Duma’s official website highlighted that the agreement will make it easier for both nations to use each other’s airspace and facilitate port calls for Russian and Indian naval vessels. According to the Russian Cabinet of Ministers, the pact will streamline the logistical backbone of bilateral military cooperation and open new avenues for joint operations.
Su-57 and Additional S-400 Systems to Feature in High-Level Talks
The ratification comes at a crucial time, as the upcoming Putin–Modi summit is expected to feature major discussions on advanced defence platforms. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that talks on the Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets and additional S-400 air defence systems will be on the table.
India was previously part of the joint FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) programme based on the Su-57 platform. However, New Delhi suspended its participation due to concerns over cost, technology transfer and performance benchmarks. Despite the exit, the Su-57 continues to be part of India–Russia strategic conversations as New Delhi looks to modernize its air combat capabilities.
S-400 Programme Continues Smooth Delivery
India and Russia signed the landmark $5-billion S-400 Triumf air defence deal in 2018 for five missile squadrons. Of these, three units have already been delivered and deployed, significantly bolstering India’s air defence grid amid evolving regional threats.
With the RELOS pact now ratified and high-level defence talks imminent, India and Russia appear set to deepen military cooperation, expand logistics access, and advance discussions on next-generation defence technologies—reinforcing a long-standing strategic partnership.
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