On Tuesday, Russia’s parliament ratified a major military cooperation agreement with India, strengthening ties between the two countries days before President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi.
The State Duma approved the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support agreement, or RELOS, a pact designed to streamline mutual logistical assistance for military personnel, ships, and aircraft involved in joint exercises and training. The agreement also allows both countries easier access to each other’s ports, airspace, and infrastructure, reducing operational hurdles for future cooperation.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin described the move as an important step toward greater reciprocity within the “strategic and comprehensive” Russia-India partnership. The agreement now moves to the Federation Council for final parliamentary approval.
RELOS was originally signed on February 18 by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Col. Gen. Alexander Fomin. While India has already brought the agreement into force, Russia formally advanced it at the end of November when the government submitted it to parliament.
The ratification comes as President Putin prepares for a two-day state visit to India beginning Thursday. Among the expected agenda items is discussion of a potential joint production arrangement for the Su-57 fighter jet, a long-running defense cooperation initiative that could advance toward a final agreement.
Relations between Moscow and New Delhi have faced strain since summer, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50 percent tariffs on India over its continued purchases of Russian energy. Washington also recently sanctioned Russian firms Rosneft and Lukoil, further complicating global energy flows.
Despite claims from the White House and Western media that India has halted imports of Russian crude, New Delhi continues to refine Russian oil. Much of it is believed to be rerouted through third countries, a tactic India has previously used to resell refined Russian crude to European buyers who no longer import energy directly from Russia.