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Context: Russia Approves Draft Logistics Agreement to Be Signed with India

Details

Draft Logistics Agreement :-

Agreement Approval:

• Russia has approved the draft logistics agreement with India, which has been delayed for several years.
• An official order dated June 20 was published on Russia’s official legal information website, authorizing the signing of the agreement.
• The draft agreement has been published, and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has instructed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to negotiate with India.

Purpose and Benefits:

• The agreement aims to simplify military-to-military exchanges for exercises, training, port calls, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts.
• It is similar to agreements India has signed with other countries since 2016, starting with the United States.
• Agreement Details:
• Known as the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS).
• Once signed, the agreement will be valid for five years and will automatically renew unless terminated by either party.
• It facilitates access to military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions, simplifying logistical support and increasing operational turnaround.

Strategic Partnership:

• Defence cooperation is a major pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership.
• Guided by the agreement on military technical cooperation for 2021-2031, signed during the inaugural India-Russia 2+2 dialogue in December 2021.
• The cooperation agreement involves troop interactions and addresses the supply and development of weapons and military equipment.
•  A Navy-to-Navy cooperation agreement is also in progress.

Access to Arctic Facilities:

• The RELOS will grant India access to Russian facilities in the Arctic region.
• This access is significant due to increased global activity and India’s investments in Russia’s eastern regions.

Existing Logistics Agreements:

•  India has similar agreements with all Quad countries, France, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam.
•  These agreements improve operational turnaround and interoperability of the Indian military.

Mutual Benefits:

• The Indian Navy has significantly benefited from these agreements, enhancing its operational turnaround and interoperability on the high seas.
• Agreements with the U.S., Australia, and Japan have been particularly beneficial due to shared military platforms and increasing U.S.-origin platforms in India.

UK-India Cooperation:

• The United Kingdom has leveraged its agreement with India to expand maritime cooperation.
• Royal Navy ships have received spare parts from Indian shipyards on short notice, enhancing interoperability.
• Royal Air Force flights have benefited from logistics halts in India, demonstrating growing mutual benefits.

Conclusion

The approval of the draft logistics agreement between Russia and India marks a significant advancement in their strategic partnership, enhancing military cooperation and operational efficiency. By facilitating easier military exchanges and access to facilities, particularly in the Arctic region, this agreement will strengthen both nations' defense capabilities and interoperability, aligning with India's broader network of logistics pacts with key global partners.

Sources:

TheHindu

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.  Give an account on India –Russia bilateral relation with reference to recent geopolitics. 200 words