India and Russia have cemented a comprehensive military logistics pact, the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS), following its rapid ratification by Russia’s State Duma. This strategic accord permits mutual access to logistical facilities, enabling Russian and Indian military assets, including naval vessels, aircraft, and troop formations, to operate effectively from each other’s territory. The agreement guarantees seamless provision of fuel, supplies, maintenance, and other crucial support services. Beyond routine joint exercises and disaster relief, the RELOS pact opens avenues for broader future military collaborations. Russian officials have emphasized that this agreement is a significant stride in their ‘strategic and comprehensive’ relations, creating a potent military support framework. The timing, preceding President Putin’s visit to India, underscores the deliberate nature of this alliance, which is poised to influence regional power balances and could be a cause for concern for Pakistan.
