Putin's visit to India and the outcome: An Analysis

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Putin's visit to India and the outcome: An Analysis​

Col Dr Dalvinder Singh Grewal

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The India-Russia defence partnership has already received a boost even before Russian President Vladimir Putin reaches Indian shores for his two-day visit. The European giant’s lower house of parliament, Duma, ratified an important military pact with India on December 3 a day before Putin’s scheduled trip to New Delhi.
The ratification of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (Relos) comes after the agreement was sent to the Duma last week by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
India and Russia signed Relos on December 5, 2025.

Relos (Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support agreement)
The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support agreement creates a structured administrative framework that enables both militaries to access each other’. Russia’s State Duma on Tuesday ratified a crucial military pact with India, just days before President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to New Delhi on Dec 4-5, 23025
The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) agreement, a pact, was originally signed in Moscow on February 18, 2025. The ratification, completed ahead of Putin’s landing in New Delhi, strengthens the operational foundation of India-Russia military cooperation and signals a renewed commitment to a strategic partnership that spans decades.
What is RELOS?
The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support agreement creates a structured administrative framework that enables both militaries to access each other ports and airports for administrative support.
These arrangements allow:
Easier refuelling
Maintenance support
Berthing of warships
Use of aviation facilities
Rolling settlement of costs instead of repeated paperwork

India and Russia also agreed on 5 December to expand joint manufacturing of spare parts, components, and aggregates for Russian-origin defence platforms, focusing on Make-in-India production to support the Indian Armed Forces and enable exports to “mutually friendly” countries.

The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as part of a joint statement issued following the summit.

Under the plan, both sides will pursue technology transfer and establish joint ventures to improve the availability and long-term support of Russian equipment.
Despite defence ties remaining central to the relationship, the joint statement did not include any new defence deal.

The discussions followed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s meeting a day earlier with Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov.

The two reviewed ongoing cooperation, including India’s procurement plans for additional S-400 missile system batches and other supplies required for Soviet-era platforms that remain in service.

The joint statement said both leaders welcomed the outcomes of the 22nd session of the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation.
“Responding to India’s quest for self-reliance, the partnership is reorienting towards joint R&D, co-development, and co-production of advanced defence technologies and systems,” it stated.

Singh and Belousov also discussed improvements in joint development and production of advanced systems, replenishment supplies, training, and other programs.
They reviewed India’s planned procurements, including additional S-400 units, which played a major role during Operation Sindoor, along with equipment needed for maintaining Russian-origin systems that form a significant portion of India’s military inventory.
India has broadened its defence acquisitions in recent years with purchases from France, the US, and other nations.

Ongoing discussions include upgrading BrahMos missiles to extended ranges, long-range missiles for Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighters, and joint manufacture of select smaller equipment with Russia.
RELOS is a very significant agreement that allows Russia to use Indian ports and airports without any hindrance. Reciprocally, India too can use all Russian ports and airports for the administrative purpose. India thus can, in the northernmost ports of Russia, make even the US within its easy reach. It also assists for each reach into China.
Another benefit is that with this agreement Russia has become closer, and the USA as well. China will have to rethink before taking any adverse action against India.
The meet also adds to the defense kitty of India and further military support through this agreement.