India and Russia can now deploy 3,000 troops along with a limited number of military aircraft and warships in each other's territory as the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support Agreement (RELOS) signed between India and Russia in February 2025 has come into effect.
RELOS has been signed with the intention of boosting the defence ties with the two countries, as it facilitates mutual access to military bases, airfields, ports, and airspace for joint exercises, training, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief operations.
The deal, which came into effect in January after it was ratified by Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, in December 2025, will remain in force for five years, after which it can be extended.
RELOS will allow “five warships, ten aircraft and three thousand troops to be simultaneously stationed in the territory of the partner country for a period of five years, and if both parties agree, it can be extended for another five years,” First Deputy Chairman of the International Affairs Committee Vyacheslav Nikonov had recently confirmed.
"...the agreement carries even deeper significance. India already imports Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Russia's Arctic region, and RELOS now gives Indian naval and commercial vessels access to Russian Arctic ports for refuelling and repairs, with icebreaker escorts through frozen passages," Bengaluru-based Defence analyst Girish Linganna was earlier quoted as saying by Sputnik.
The deal is expected to facilitate the development and strengthening of military ties between the two countries and will establish a simplified notification procedure for calls by warships of the two navies to ports in both countries, as well as the use of airspace and airfield infrastructure by military aircraft of both countries.
The agreement will regulate not only the dispatch of troops and equipment but also their logistics. The established procedure will be used during joint exercises, training, humanitarian aid, disaster relief efforts after natural and man-made disasters, and in other cases as agreed.