Russia has ratified a significant military logistics agreement with India just ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi on December 4-5. The State Duma approved the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) pact, which was signed earlier this year on February 18. This agreement allows military forces from both nations to utilize each other's facilities for various operations, including joint exercises and humanitarian missions. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin emphasized that this ratification reflects the strong partnership between India and Russia, describing their relationship as "strategic and comprehensive."

During Putin's visit, he is expected to hold the 23rd annual bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on defence and trade issues. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that discussions may include the potential sale of an additional S-400 missile system and the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, which he referred to as "the best plane in the world." Peskov also mentioned Russia's interest in enhancing civil-nuclear collaboration, offering India compact reactor technology and support for projects like Kudankulam.

Peskov praised India's approach to the Ukraine conflict, stating that Russia appreciates New Delhi's "friendly stand" during challenging times. He acknowledged the trade imbalance, noting that India is concerned about the rising imports of discounted Russian crude oil. Peskov assured that both countries are exploring ways to increase Indian exports to Russia.

He also highlighted the resilience of Russia in dealing with sanctions and expressed hope for a successful diplomatic effort by the US to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Peskov's remarks set a positive tone for the upcoming summit, where key topics will include defence cooperation, energy supplies, and trade rebalancing between the two nations. The longstanding partnership between India and Russia has been a cornerstone of India's foreign policy, evolving into a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" since its inception in 2000.