The State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement with India, just days ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s official state visit to New Delhi scheduled for December 4–5.
The agreement, formally signed by the two governments on February 18, had been submitted to the Duma for ratification the previous week by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Speaking at the plenary session of the house, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin emphasised the importance of the move: "Our relations with India are strategic and comprehensive, and we value them. We understand that today's ratification of the agreement is another step toward reciprocity and, of course, the development of our relations."
The RELOS agreement establishes clear procedures for the reciprocal deployment of military formations, warships, and military aircraft between Russia and India, as well as the provision of mutual logistical support for such deployments. It covers not only the dispatch of troops and military equipment but also all associated logistics.
The agreed procedures will apply during joint military exercises and training, humanitarian assistance operations, disaster relief efforts following natural or man-made catastrophes, port visits, and in other mutually agreed circumstances.
In an explanatory note published on the State Duma’s official website, the Russian Cabinet of Ministers stated that ratification of the document will enable the mutual use of each country’s airspace and facilitate port calls by Russian and Indian warships. The Cabinet further noted that the agreement will significantly strengthen military cooperation between the two nations.
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