It has been circulated in Indian media outlets that India and Russia are getting closer to reaching a final agreement on defence logistics sharing pact, and that it is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
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"The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement will simplify interoperability and enable support to military platforms like warships and aircraft and is of significance as Russia continues to be a leading arms supplier to India, with joint exercises also increasing in recent years," said the Economic Times
According to this pact, both Russian and Indian navy ships will be able to access exclusive economic zones for refuelling and getting supplies. Exercises and drills for both the naval and air forces would bee much smoother for both countries, as well as deployment of troops on both sides.
This comes amid tensions between China and India. Early May, Indian and Chinese soldiers reportedly scuffled at the Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh in the disputed Kashmir region, followed by a face-off at the Naku La Pass in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim. Accusing each other of trespassing, both sides have since deployed troops along several disputed areas. Border tensions between the two countries have persisted for more than seven decades, and they fought a war – the Sino-Indian War – in 1962.
India is awaiting the visit of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, later this year after the invitation from India's prime minister, Narndra Modi. Expectations are that the pact will be signed during this visit.
India had signed such pacts with the United States, France, and Australia, and is currently in the process of finalising a similar pact with Japan.
