A pact between India and Russia on reciprocal access to military facilities is expected to boost Moscow’s influence in the Indian Ocean and increase New Delhi’s presence in the Arctic.

However, it does not mean the two countries’ bases will be opened to each other’s armed forces as they step up defence cooperation, according to analysts.

India and Russia signed the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) covering military exercises, training and humanitarian missions in Moscow in February last year, which came into force in January. It enables two-way access to airbases and ports, to support ships, aircraft and personnel.

Speaking at the State Duma in Moscow after RELOS’ ratification in December, First Deputy Chairman of the International Affairs Committee Vyacheslav Nikonov said “five warships, 10 aircraft and 3,000 troops” could be simultaneously stationed in the partner country’s territory for five years under the pact, which could be extended for another five years, according to Russia’s official legal information portal on April 17.

The agreement is expected to strengthen long-term military cooperation, particularly in servicing India’s Russian-origin military equipment and longer overseas deployments, according to Indian media reports. It could extend India’s strategic reach to the Arctic region, where powers including Russia and China are seeking to expand their presence.

Nandan Unnikrishnan, a distinguished fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, said it was an “anomaly” that India had such military agreements with some Western countries but not with Russia, its long-standing partner in the defence sector.