Russia and India have solidified a pivotal military logistics agreement, the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS), signaling a significant shift in South Asian geopolitical dynamics. The Russian State Duma swiftly ratified the pact, just prior to President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to New Delhi. This groundbreaking deal facilitates seamless interoperability, allowing military forces from both nations to utilize each other’s bases, airspace, and ports with comprehensive logistical support. This includes fuel, maintenance, supplies, and operational deployment for warships, aircraft, and ground troops. The agreement explicitly covers joint exercises, training, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief, while also leaving ample room for unspecified future strategic collaborations. This move, underscored by Russian officials as a crucial step in strengthening their ‘strategic and comprehensive’ relationship, effectively establishes a formidable military support network. For Pakistan, this enhanced Indo-Russian military alliance presents a concerning development, especially as it faces its own regional challenges.
