In a significant development aimed at bolstering military cooperation, the Russian government has approved a draft logistics agreement with India. The draft agreement, now published on the Russian legal information portal and seen by WION, is a key step in increasing operational engagement between the armed forces of the two countries.

A logistics pact, such as the one proposed, facilitates mutual logistical support between countries during various military operations, including peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance, and joint military exercises. The support usually involves critical services like refuelling, maintenance, and supply provisions, and increases interoperability.

According to Russian media, Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has instructed the Ministry of Defence to commence negotiations with their Indian counterparts to finalise the document. The agreement, if accepted, will be effective for a period of five years and will be subject to automatic renewal unless either party decides to terminate it.

This draft logistics pact is a continuation of the longstanding military relationship between Russia and India. In 2021, the two countries signed a comprehensive agreement on military-technical cooperation extending until 2030.

India’s engagement in logistics pacts is not new. The country has similar agreements with the United States, France, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and Japan. These pacts have been pivotal in enhancing India’s strategic reach and operational readiness, ensuring that its military can sustain longer and more complex deployments.