RELOS Agreement: News & Discussion

[Rakesh]

With Putin's visit to India, the two countries are expected to sign an agreement called RELOS (Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics) at a future date. It will be similar to the LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) agreement, that India has signed with the United States. This is part of the multipolar alignment strategy followed by the Modi Government in New Delhi. Below is a good article and a must read to understand RELOS.

EXPLAINED: All You Need To Know About RELOS, The Pact With Russia That Gives Indian Navy Access To Arctic
https://www.news18.com/news/explainers/ ... 24281.html
06 December 2021

Defence cooperation is high on the agenda of the 2021 edition of the annual Indo-Russia summit, which will also see the first 2+2 ministerial exchange between the Indian defence and foreign ministers with their Russian counterparts. Coming on the heels of the delivery of the first units of the advanced air defence S400 Triumf anti-missile systems from Moscow, the summit is to see a significant move towards military cooperation in the form of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics (RELOS) agreement that the two countries are set to sign. Here’s what you need to know.

WHY ARE INDIA, RUSSIA PURSUING A RELOS PACT?

Despite growing engagement with the US on military hardware and tech, Russia remains a partner with whom India has shared traditionally deep defence ties. Russia’s growing proximity to China and Pakistan has of late been seen as casting a shadow on the Moscow-New Delhi engagement, but Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2021 visit is said by experts to be part of a push to augment cooperation between the two countries.

To that extent, RELOS will be an important step forward in the military sphere as it aims at fostering interoperability and sharing of logistics. The “long overdue" agreement was to have come up for signing in 2019 but that was put off pending finalization of its terms. The agreement has been described as being part of a broader arrangement that will allow the two countries to scale up their military-to-military cooperation. A report by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) says that “these agreements go a long way in expanding India’s military reach, especially maritime outreach and influence in various regions that are strategically important to India."

WHAT IS ENTAILED AS PART OF A RELOS AGREEMENT?

Logistical exchange agreements are designed to lay down the administrative framework through which partnering countries can enjoy ease of access to use each other’s military facilities like ports, bases, and military installations. As ORF notes, such agreements save “enormous time" and also frees up the need for constant paperwork when one military obtains assistance on matters like refuelling, berthing, use of aviation infrastructure, etc., allowing for a rolling settlement of costs and fees. “Military logistics… facilitate replenishment of fuel, rations, and spare parts, as well as berthing and maintenance for each other’s warships, military aircraft, and troops during port visits and joint exercises, on a reciprocal basis," ORF points out.

WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF A RELOS AGREEMENT?

Experts note that it is usually the Indian Navy, “the most outgoing force of the three services", that stands to benefit the most from an logistical exchange agreement as these impart “enhanced operational turnaround and strengthened interoperability… on the high seas" by relying on the infrastructure and assistance of partner countries. A report by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) notes that the RELOS agreement with Russia would grant “access to Russian naval port facilities in the Arctic", thus enhancing “Indian Navy’s reach and operational experience in Polar waters".

It notes further that given the close Indo-Russian military ties and “the percentage of Russian military hardware in the Indian armed forces" means that the two sides can take advantage, through RELOS, of increased interoperability “in any hostile situation in the future". India has acquired advance defence systems from Russia, including fighter jets, and is looking to again obtain a nuclear-powered attack submarine on a long-term lease from Moscow.

IDSA says that from a geostrategic point of view, while giving Indian Navy better access to northern sea routes and Russian ports in the Arctic, where India is looking to set up an Arctic station. Russia and India are also exploring enhanced energy cooperation in the Arctic region. IDSA also notes that “India’s presence in the (Arctic) region will act as a strategic counterweight to China’s strategic posturing" with Beijing and Moscow sharing “synergy" in the Arctic. The reciprocal arrangement means that Russian naval ships and aircraft will be also to access Indian ports and bases.

DOES INDIA HAVE SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES?

India has logistical exchange agreements with six other countries, including Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, partners US, Japan and Australia. Singapore, France and South Korea are the other countries with which similar arrangements have been effected. ORF says that following the signing of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US in 2016, “India has become more comfortable in concluding such arrangements with other countries" and is currently pursuing one with the UK while exploring arrangement with other partners like Vietnam. These agreements “with like-minded partners extend India’s maritime and strategic reach and influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond", adds ORF.

[Rakesh]

And see the first tweet below from Saurav Jha Plenty of teeth clenching and silent rona-dhona on BRF today

https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/146 ... 45352?s=20 ---> RELOS is just the beginning. An Indo-Russian COMCASA-type agreement will also be signed sooner than later.

https://twitter.com/Aryan_warlord/statu ... 98120?s=20 ---> RELOS gains increased significance given the planned Russian naval base in Sudan. India could see Russian vessels dock with increasing regularity via RELOS. Also expect the GRSE JV to build ice breakers gain traction here.

============================

The COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) is one of the four foundational agreements that India signed with the United States. BRF thread on COMCASA ---> viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7664&start=120

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1467886804049166341?s=20 ---> The issue of RELOS (Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement) has been put off for some time because there are still a few issues that we need to discuss further, so I think we will be concluding it at the earliest: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

https://twitter.com/shubham687/status/1 ... 96001?s=20 ---> India to get access to the Russian Military Bases around the globe for the Servicing, Refueling and Maintenance of our Naval, Air and Military Equipment under the RELOS Agreement. After the agreement, India will be the only country to have logistics agreement with both US and Russia.

https://twitter.com/ADWIC_IND/status/14 ... 99681?s=20 ---> Imagine being a "neutral country" and signing both COMCASA & RELOS. It clearly shows India has made its presence felt in both West and the East. This is the Golden Era of Indian Diplomacy.

[Rakesh]

Agreements of this nature will tie future Indian govts (i.e. Congress) to follow the multipolar alignment strategy. While there are always exit options in these agreements, they are easier said than done. Maintaining relationships and partnerships with multiple nations prevents reliance and/or alliance with just one.

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/upsciq/status/14358 ... 05509?s=20 --->

[Rakesh]

https://twitter.com/prashantp_2011/stat ... 23168?s=20 ---> India’s presence in the Arctic region will act as a strategic counterweight to China. India has RELOS with six other countries, US, Japan, Australia. Singapore, France and South Korea. And agreement with the U.K. is in the final stage.

https://twitter.com/prashantp_2011/stat ... 05249?s=20 ---> New Delhi and Moscow are all set to ink the RELOS (Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement). It allows the two countries to scale up their military to military co-operation. Indian Navy can better access to northern sea routes and Russian ports in the Arctic.

[SSridhar]

EXPLAINED: All You Need To Know About RELOS, The Pact With Russia That Gives Indian Navy Access To Arctic
https://www.news18.com/news/explainers/ ... 24281.html
06 December 2021

IDSA also notes that “India’s presence in the (Arctic) region will act as a strategic counterweight to China’s strategic posturing" with Beijing and Moscow sharing “synergy" in the Arctic.

China has been demanding a new status for itself, a 'Near Arctic Nation', in the Arctic Council, a group that oversees the Arctic affairs. Russia which is the predominant member of the Arctic Council has been resisting that idea, so is the US. The two have jointly pushed back this Chinese idea. Either you are an Arctic Nation or you aren't. A few months back, a noted Russian Scientist was arrested for supplying with information to China on Arctic matters. China has been trying to overcome the 'Malacca Dilemma' as well as the 'Tyranny of Distance' through various means, railroad to Europe, the Northern Routes through the Arctic, the Kra Isthmus, Kyaukphyu, Gwdar, Chahbahar et al. Russia would not let China dominate it in the Arctic Seas and Eurasian land mass. Russia still believes in Mackinder's 'Heartland' theory.

[Rakesh]

Russia To Ratify RELOS Pact Ahead Of Putin’s India Visit
https://www.outlookindia.com/national/r ... ndia-visit
02 Dec 2025

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1996 ... 49342?s=20 ---> India and Russia have now ratified the RELOS (Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support) agreement in the Russian State Duma. This pact allows both nations’ militaries mutual access to bases, ports, fuel, spares and repair facilities, significantly improving logistical reach and interoperability. This arrangement is similar to India’s logistics pacts with the US, such as the LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement). LEMOA allows reciprocal access to each other’s military facilities for refuelling, replenishment, and maintenance. The India–Russia RELOS agreement plays a parallel role, extending the same operational flexibility to India’s most longstanding strategic partner.

https://x.com/Aryan_warlord/status/1996 ... 91458?s=20 ---> Ok just heard this could be linked to a planned wet lease of Tu-160. Essentially gives the Indian Air Force time & space to train a squadron, before actually finalizing whether they want some.

[Rakesh]

Russia parliament ratifies key pact on military, logistic support with India ahead of Putin’s state visit
https://www.thehindu.com/news/internati ... 351925.ece
03 Dec 2025

Russian Cabinet of Ministers stated that ratification will facilitate mutual use of the two countries' airspace and port calls by Russian and Indian warships

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/_TheTathya/status/1996418 ... 91741?s=20 ---> Why Russia Signed the RELOS Pact With India?

> Russia has formally approved the RELOS military logistics pact with India.
> The deal lets both nations use each other’s ports, airfields & bases.
> Ships can refuel and repair in each other’s territory.
> Aircraft can land, reload, and continue long missions.
> Costs drop massively... no need to build new bases abroad.

And here’s the real shocker...

> RELOS gives Russia strategic entry into the Indian Ocean for the first time.
> A region dominated by the US, China, UK, France & Japan.
> Moscow has zero bases in these waters.
> India is the only friendly, stable, powerful partner here.
> With RELOS, Russian Navy can operate thousands of km from home using Indian ports as logistical shortcuts.
> For Russia, the Indian Ocean means access to Middle East oil lanes, African markets & global shipping routes.
> It also links perfectly with Russia’s Arctic ambitions and the North-South Transport Corridor.

And what's in for India?

> RELOS is not charity... it’s leverage.
> Russia can’t function in the Indian Ocean without India’s permission.
> India brings Moscow into its backyard… but strictly through its own gate.
> This strengthens India’s hand against the US, China & Europe... all of whom have far more bases and ships in the region.
> Russia becomes a force multiplier, not a rival.
> And India ensures no single power can dominate its home waters.

Russia gets access.
India gets influence.

The timing… the geography… the intent…
Nothing here is random.

Will RELOS reshape naval power in the Indo-Pacific... and cement India as the decisive player in the world’s most strategic waters?

[ArjunPandit]

how will Russia access IOR? Sea route or is some land route planned. If you know what i mean..someone will be breaking bangles in MI6 HQ