Argus News - Russia to Vote on Key Defence Pact Ahead of Putin’s India Visit

New Delhi/Moscow, Dec 2: Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to India later this week, the Russian State Duma is set to vote on a crucial defence agreement with New Delhi.

The vote, expected on Tuesday, will decide the fate of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), a pact designed to strengthen military cooperation between the two strategic partners.

The timing of the vote is significant, coming just days before Putin’s arrival in India on Thursday. Parliamentary sources confirmed that the lower house of the Russian parliament will deliberate on the agreement, which was signed earlier this year in Moscow.

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On February 18, 2025, India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, and then Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin inked the landmark deal, underscoring the deepening defence ties between the two nations.

The RELOS pact aims to facilitate joint military exercises, disaster relief operations, and other collaborative missions by simplifying logistical coordination. It is expected to provide both countries with reciprocal access to each other’s military facilities, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and strategic reach.

India and Russia have long shared a privileged strategic partnership, with defence cooperation forming a cornerstone of their bilateral relations. Over the decades, Russia has been a key supplier of defence equipment to India, while India has consistently sought to diversify and modernize its military capabilities. The approval of RELOS would mark another milestone in this enduring relationship, signalling a renewed commitment to mutual security and global stability.

Putin’s upcoming visit is likely to further cement this partnership, with discussions expected to cover defence, energy, and geopolitical issues. Analysts believe that the timing of the parliamentary vote is intended to send a strong message of solidarity and trust between Moscow and New Delhi.