Constraints: trade imbalance and sanctions

The Russian Duma ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) agreement just a day before President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in India–Russia defence ties. More than just another operational pact, RELOS completes a long-pending framework and unlocks a new era of maritime cooperation. The agreement enables deeper coordination across a vast strategic arc—from the warm waters of Chennai in the Indian Ocean to the icy frontiers of the Arctic—reshaping the scope of bilateral engagement.