Russia, India approve mutual military deployments under new pact

Russia and India are authorised to deploy up to 3,000 military personnel, 10 military aircraft, and 5 naval vessels on each other’s territory under a bilateral agreement designed to deepen military cooperation, according to a document published on Russia’s official legal information portal and cited by Russian media.

The agreement stipulates that no more than five naval ships, ten military aircraft, and 3,000 service members from the sending country may be present at the same time on the territory of the receiving country. These deployments may take place for a range of purposes, including joint exercises and training, humanitarian assistance missions, and responses to natural disasters and man-made emergencies, as well as other activities agreed upon by both sides.

Under the terms of the document, military aircraft flights require advance approval through diplomatic channels, with requests to be submitted no later than 14 days before the planned use of airspace. Naval vessels may enter ports under a similar notification procedure, while their departure must be reported to the senior naval authority at least 24 hours in advance.

The agreement was ratified by both chambers of Russia’s parliament — the State Duma and the Federation Council — in December 2025. President Vladimir Putin signed the ratification law on December 15, and the agreement officially entered into force on January 12, 2026.

It is set for an initial term of five years and will be automatically extended for successive five-year periods unless either party notifies the other of its intention to terminate the agreement at least six months before the current term expires.

Russia’s foreign ministry has stated that the agreement is intended to support the continued development and strengthening of military cooperation between Russia and India.

By Tamilla Hasanova