Russian troops, warships in India soon? Why their new military pact matters
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Russia ratified the RELOS agreement on Dec 15, enabling deployment of up to 3,000 Russian troops, five warships and ten aircraft on Indian territory.
- India authorized foreign military presence on its soil for the first time, allowing Russian forces to use its naval ports, airfields and logistics facilities.
- RELOS agreement remains active for five years from Jan 12, with a mutual‑extension clause and provisions for cross‑training and humanitarian assistance.
- Moscow expects the logistics support to streamline servicing of Russian hardware that already makes up the majority of India's defence inventory.
- Delhi gains guaranteed access to Russian maintenance, fuel and supplies, bolstering its operational readiness amid US policy uncertainty.
Why it matters: India secures a logistics lifeline for its Russian‑sourced arsenal, while Russia gains a strategic base for 3,000 troops and five warships for five years, bolstering Moscow’s influence in South Asia.
