Russia approves draft logistics agreement to be signed with India

Sub: IR

Sec: Msc

India-Russia Mutual Logistics Agreement:

The India-Russia mutual logistics agreement, delayed for several years, is now ready for conclusion with Russia approving the draft agreement.
The agreement will simplify military-to-military exchanges for exercises, training, port calls, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts.

Agreement Features:

Known as the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), it will be valid for five years and renew automatically unless terminated by either party.
Defence cooperation between India and Russia includes interaction between troops and the development and supply of military equipment, guided by a military-technical cooperation agreement for 2021-2031.
Strategic Importance:
- The agreement will provide India access to Russian facilities in the Arctic region, crucial as new shipping routes open and India‘s investments in Russia’s eastern regions increase.

Comparison and Mutual Benefits:

India has signed similar logistics agreements with countries including the U.S., France, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam.
These agreements facilitate access to military facilities for fuel and provisions, enhancing logistical support and operational turnaround.
The Indian Navy has significantly benefited from such agreements, improving interoperability and operational efficiency.
The agreements with the U.S., Australia, and Japan have been particularly advantageous due to common military platforms.
The U.K. has also leveraged its logistics agreement with India to expand maritime cooperation, benefiting Royal Navy and Royal Air Force operations in the region.

Russia:

Bordering countries: Along the 20,139-kilometre land frontier, Russia has boundaries with 14 countries: Poland and Lithuania (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea.
Approximately two-thirds of the frontier is bounded by seawater.

Source: TH