On February 18, 2025, India and Russia renewed their strong commitment to defense cooperation during high-level talks between senior officials from the two countries’ defense ministries. The meeting culminated in the signing of a bilateral intergovernmental agreement aimed at simplifying procedures for cooperation and interaction during joint military events, underscoring the desire to deepen their strategic partnership in the military realm.

The Russian Deputy Minister of Defense, Colonel General Alexander Fomin, met with Vinay Kumar, India’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia. Following their discussions, they signed the new defence logistics pact, known as the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS). This agreement is designed to facilitate joint exercises, disaster relief operations, and other collaborative defense initiatives by easing interaction between the armed forces of the two nations.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, both sides emphasized the significance of this agreement in furthering military cooperation and reaffirmed their focus on consistently strengthening ties within the framework of a “particularly privileged strategic partnership.” The RELOS deal is expected to enhance interoperability and allow broader geographic scope for joint peacetime operations, potentially including activities in sensitive areas such as the Arctic, where India also has strategic interests through LNG shipments from Russia’s Yamal Peninsula.

The India-Russia defense relationship is longstanding and multifaceted. Moscow remains India’s largest defense supplier, providing advanced systems such as the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, MiG-29K aircraft, Kamov helicopters, and the S-400 air defense system. Notably, joint ventures like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile program and licensed production of T-90 tanks and AK-203 rifles in India showcase the evolution from buyer-seller dynamics toward co-development and production of cutting-edge defense platforms.

Indian officials have also been evaluating Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter for possible purchase, signaling a continued appetite for strategic defense technology acquisitions from Russia. This ongoing cooperation is coordinated under institutional frameworks such as the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), which oversees projects and facilitates annual dialogue between defense ministers from both nations.

Experts highlight the pragmatic and strategic importance of this cooperation amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. Dr. Sanjeev Menon, a defense analyst, notes, “The renewed agreement demonstrates both countries’ commitment to maintaining a robust, technologically advanced partnership in defense, ensuring readiness and mutual support in an increasingly complex international security environment.”

At a human and operational level, joint military exercises like the tri-service “INDRA” series contribute significantly to the interoperability and preparedness of the armed forces, fostering trust and shared tactical expertise. These exercises, coupled with streamlined logistics agreements, improve response capabilities for humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and potential conflict scenarios.

Summary and Next Steps

India and Russia’s recent renewal of defense cooperation through the RELOS agreement and continued negotiations on next-generation platforms like the Su-57 reinforce a resilient defense partnership. Moving forward, both countries plan to enhance joint exercises, military-technical development, and operational coordination. The upcoming years are expected to see deeper integration of defense logistics and further joint ventures, solidifying India-Russia ties as a pillar of regional and global security.

This cooperation must be viewed in the broader context of India’s balanced foreign policy, which seeks diversified defense relations amid evolving global geopolitics. The onus now lies on sustained diplomatic engagement and implementation of agreements to ensure these defense collaborations translate into tangible capability enhancements.