NEW DELHI: Russia’s State Duma has formally accredited a significant navy logistics pact with India simply days earlier than President Vladimir Putin lands in New Delhi for his December 4–5 state go to. The Reciprocal Alternate of Logistic Assist (RELOS), which was signed on February 18, was tabled for ratification final week by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin mentioned the transfer underlined the energy of the 2 international locations’ partnership. He described the India–Russia relationship as “strategic and complete” and mentioned the pact’s ratification was one other step in the direction of deeper cooperation.Based on particulars posted on the Duma’s web site, the settlement will permit navy plane, ships and different formations from each side to make use of one another’s services for a variety of actions, together with joint workouts, coaching programmes, humanitarian operations and disaster-relief missions. These preparations will apply wherever each governments comply with conduct operations, as per the information company PTI.Putin’s go to contains the twenty third annual bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the place defence and commerce deliverables are anticipated to function prominently.Additionally learn: Putin is coming to India in December 2025- Which different Russian presidents visited India, together with Putin’s previous journeys Russian paperwork describe RELOS as a framework to simplify coordination throughout joint drills and emergency operations, with earlier Russian stories suggesting that it may additionally help actions in tough areas such because the Arctic.Forward of the go to, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned talks might embrace a potential further S-400 missile system and discussions on the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet. He mentioned the Su-57 is “the perfect airplane on this planet”, and famous Moscow’s readiness to broaden defence-technology ties, together with by initiatives like BrahMos, reported information company ANI.Russia has additionally signalled curiosity in strengthening civil-nuclear collaboration. Peskov mentioned Moscow is ready to supply India compact reactor expertise and continues to help cooperation on initiatives like Kudankulam.Additionally learn: Modi–Putin summit checks India’s tightrope between Russia and the West
What’s RELOS?
RELOS (Reciprocal Alternate of Logistic Assist) is a navy logistics-sharing pact between India and Russia. It covers:
- Entry to services: Permits Russian navy plane, vessels and personnel to make use of Indian bases and infrastructure — and permits Indian forces to do the identical in Russia.
- Assist throughout operations: Offers logistics help for joint workouts, coaching missions, humanitarian work and catastrophe reduction.
- Mutual use of airspace and ports: Authorises each side to make use of one another’s airspace and ports, together with warship visits, in line with the Duma’s explanatory observe.
- Operational flexibility: Applies to any location the place India and Russia comply with conduct operations collectively.
- Effectivity in coordination: Supposed to streamline cooperation throughout joint actions and emergency conditions, enhancing military-to-military engagement.