Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS)

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Context and Overview

The India-Russia bilateral Logistics Support Agreement, called the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), officially started working in January 2026.
RELOS is a basic, non-fighting military cooperation agreement meant for administrative and technical needs.
It sets up a simple system to use each other's military bases, airfields, and ports for refueling, supplies, and maintenance during planned naval and aerial deployments.

Both countries officially signed the agreement in Moscow on February 18, 2025.
The pact officially came into force in January 2026.
This is an exclusive two-country arrangement between the Republic of India and the Russian Federation.

The main goal of RELOS is to remove red tape and cut down administrative delays between the two militaries during joint operations.
It replaces slow, case-by-case approvals with a clear accounting system.
This change helps speed up turnaround times, fixes logistics problems, and increases the operational range of warships and military aircraft for both nations.

The logistics system only works during specific events agreed upon in advance, such as joint military exercises, training, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, or scheduled port visits.
The agreement sets an administrative ceiling of 3,000 military personnel to handle large groups, multiple ships, or extra aircraft during temporary joint exercises, but this is not a rule for permanent troops.
The arrangement allows mutual access to standard military services like food, fresh water, and housing for traveling personnel.
It also covers petroleum, oils, lubricants, and transport services.
Other allowed services include medical help, storage spaces, and port repair work.
The agreement also provides spare parts, maintenance checks, and access to equipment components.
The pact strictly bans any permanent or long-term placement of troops, assets, or foreign military bases on the soil of either country.
The initial agreement lasts for five years, which lets both sides review and update the terms as global politics change.