RELOS Agreement: Just before his visit to India, Vladimir Putin made a major announcement, Russia approved the military agreement with India

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will be visiting India on December 4-5. Earlier, the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, on Tuesday formally approved a military agreement with India. This agreement is called the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS). This move is being seen as a major change in the defence cooperation between the two countries.​

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin presented this agreement to the Duma for approval last week. This agreement will make the logistical cooperation between the two militaries more extensive and organized. State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said that India-Russia relations have stood the test of time and are strategic. Approving today's agreement is another step towards equality and will further strengthen bilateral relations.​

This agreement will allow both sides to legally deploy troops and equipment on each other's territory for joint exercises, disaster relief, and humanitarian missions. Five warships, ten aircraft, and 3,000 troops will be deployed simultaneously on the partner country's territory for five years. If both sides agree, this period can be extended for another five years.​

This agreement was signed on February 18. Russia and India will manage the deployment of each other's military units, warships, and military aircraft in their respective territories. The armed forces of both countries will be able to use each other's bases, ports, and airspace. This arrangement will not be limited to military operations only but will also apply to joint military exercises, training, humanitarian aid, assistance after natural and man-made disasters, and other situations specified in the agreement.