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Saturday, July 6, 2024

India, Russia prepare to sign military logistics pact soon


23 June 2024

India and Russia are set to finalize a long-awaited Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), which aims to streamline military exchanges between the two nations. This agreement, which has been under discussion for several years, recently gained momentum with Russia approving the draft. The Russian government has authorized its Ministry of Defence to negotiate the terms with India, bringing the agreement closer to being signed.

Key Features of the Agreement

The RELOS agreement is designed to simplify logistical support for military operations, including exercises, training, port calls, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts. It mirrors similar agreements India has with other countries, such as the United States, which began in 2016. Once signed, the RELOS will be valid for five years and will automatically renew unless either country decides to terminate it.

Strategic Importance

Defence cooperation is a cornerstone of the India-Russia strategic partnership, supported by a broader military technical cooperation agreement signed during the India-Russia 2+2 dialogue in December 2021. This cooperation includes joint development and supply of weapons and military equipment. Additionally, a Navy-to-Navy cooperation agreement is also in the pipeline, highlighting the deepening maritime collaboration between the two countries.

Access to Arctic Facilities

One of the significant benefits of the RELOS for India is access to Russian military facilities in the Arctic. This region is becoming increasingly important due to new shipping routes opening up. India's investments in Russia's eastern regions make this access particularly valuable for its strategic interests.

Benefits to the Indian Navy

Among the Indian armed forces, the Navy stands to gain the most from these logistics agreements. Such agreements have already proven beneficial with other countries, enhancing operational turnaround and interoperability on the high seas. For example, foundational agreements with the U.S. and logistics arrangements with Australia and Japan have been advantageous due to shared military platforms.

Broader Context of India's Logistics Agreements

India has signed logistics agreements with multiple countries, including the Quad members (U.S., Japan, and Australia), France, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. These agreements facilitate mutual access to military facilities for refueling and supplies, thereby improving operational efficiency during deployments.

The United Kingdom has also benefited from its logistics agreement with India. Royal Navy ships have received spare parts from Indian shipyards, demonstrating growing naval cooperation. Additionally, Royal Air Force flights have used Indian facilities for logistics halts during regional operations.

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