India and Russia activate the RELOS agreement in April 2026, enabling mutual military logistics access, boosting interoperability, and expanding India’s strategic footprint, including emerging Arctic regions.

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• India and Russia operationalized the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) in April 2026, after its signing in February 2025, marking a major step in defense logistics cooperation.
• The agreement enables mutual access to military bases, naval ports, and airfields, improving logistical support and operational coordination between the armed forces of both countries.
• Under RELOS, each side can deploy up to 3,000 military personnel along with assets such as five warships and ten fighter aircraft.
• The pact is initially valid for five years, with provisions for extension, ensuring long-term continuity in strategic defense cooperation.
• It enhances interoperability, enabling faster response during joint operations, humanitarian missions, and regional security contingencies.
• India gains access to key Russian Arctic ports such as Murmansk and Severomorsk, strengthening its strategic presence in emerging Arctic maritime and energy routes.
• The Arctic is becoming increasingly important due to melting ice opening new shipping lanes, growing geopolitical competition, and expanding energy exploration opportunities.
• RELOS deepens India–Russia defense ties by shifting cooperation from procurement and exercises toward real-time logistics and operational readiness across global regions.