Recalibrating India’s Arctic policy: Navigating Geopolitical Complexities
Introduction : The Changing Arctic Landscape
Once considered an isolated and frozen wasteland, the Arctic is now at the centre of global geopolitics. Climate change has accelerated the melting of Arctic ice, opening up new maritime routes, unlocking vast energy reserves, and triggering military expansion in the region. The Northern Sea Route (NSR) and Northwest Passage (NWP) offer shorter trade routes between Asia, Europe, and North America, reducing travel distances by up to 40%. This transformation has attracted major global powers, including the United States, Russia, and China, while non-Arctic states like India have also increased their involvement.
Despite India’s growing interests in the Arctic—spanning scientific research, climate change, economic potential, and resource security—its 2022 Arctic Policy lacks a crucial geopolitical component. As Arctic militarisation intensifies and China expands its influence under the “Polar Silk Road” initiative, India must rethink its approach. The absence of a geopolitical strategy in India’s Arctic Policy could weaken its position in the region. This essay argues that India must incorporate a geopolitical pillar into its Arctic engagement, ensuring its role as an active stakeholder rather than a passive observer.
India’s Arctic Engagement: A Historical Overview
India’s Arctic engagement dates back to 1920, when it signed the Svalbard Treaty under British rule, granting it rights to scientific research in the region. However, independent India’s Arctic involvement formally began in 2007, with its first scientific expedition. This was followed by the establishment of the Himadri Research Station in Svalbard, Norway, in 2008, and the launch of IndArc, an oceanographic observatory, in 2014.
India’s engagement has remained largely science-driven, focusing on climate studies, oceanography, and atmospheric research. In 2013, India gained observer status in the Arctic Council, allowing it to participate in Arctic governance discussions. However, despite this growing presence, India was one of the last observer states to adopt a formal Arctic policy, which it did in 2022.
India’s 2022 Arctic Policy is built on six pillars:
- Scientific Research and Climate Studies
- Environmental Protection
- Economic and Human Development
- Transportation and Connectivity
- Governance and International Cooperation
- National Capacity Building
While this policy highlights India’s commitment to sustainability, it does not address the Arctic’s evolving security dynamics. Given Russia’s military buildup, NATO’s increasing presence, and China’s Arctic ambitions, India cannot afford to overlook the region’s strategic importance.
India and the Arctic: Climate, Energy, and Trade Impacts
The Arctic’s changing climate directly affects India’s monsoon patterns, which are vital for agriculture and the economy. Rising temperatures in the Arctic disrupt global weather systems, leading to unpredictable rainfall, heatwaves, and floods in South Asia. Understanding these climate shifts is crucial for India’s long-term environmental resilience and economic stability.
The Arctic is home to vast reserves of oil, natural gas, and rare earth minerals, all essential for India’s energy security and technological growth. As the world’s third-largest energy consumer, India relies heavily on imported oil and gas. The Arctic holds 13% of undiscovered oil and 30% of natural gas reserves, offering a promising energy source. Furthermore, the region’s rich mineral deposits, including those needed for high-tech industries, make Arctic resource partnerships valuable. Strengthening energy ties with Russia and Nordic countries will help diversify India’s energy sources and secure long-term supplies.
With Russia controlling nearly half of the Arctic’s resources, it remains a key partner for India’s energy ambitions. India has already invested $15 billion in Russian Arctic LNG projects, highlighting its strategic interest in the region. Expanding partnerships with Russia in energy extraction and transportation infrastructure can help India reduce dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Additionally, engaging with Nordic nations can ensure sustainable and environmentally responsible resource access, supporting India’s energy diversification strategy while strengthening diplomatic relations in the Arctic.
The Northern Sea Route (NSR) provides a shorter and cost-effective alternative to traditional shipping routes like the Suez Canal, cutting travel time between Europe and Asia by 40%. For India, linking the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor with the NSR could improve trade connectivity with Russia and Europe. However, China’s growing dominance in Arctic shipping, through its “Polar Silk Road” initiative, could challenge India’s maritime interests. To secure its trade and strategic position, India must establish a strong foothold in Arctic maritime governance, ensuring fair access to Arctic shipping routes while expanding its role in global trade.
Geopolitical Rivalries and the Case for India’s Strategic Engagement
The Arctic is no longer just an ecological concern—it is now a strategic battleground for major powers. The Russia-Ukraine war has intensified Arctic tensions, leading to NATO’s expansion in the region. Russia has strengthened its military presence, deploying nuclear submarines, missile systems, and advanced icebreakers along the NSR.
At the same time, China has declared itself a “Near-Arctic State”, despite having no territorial claim in the region. Through its “Polar Silk Road”, China has invested heavily in Arctic infrastructure and Russian energy projects, aiming to establish itself as a dominant Arctic power.
For India, China’s Arctic ambitions pose strategic challenges:
- China’s control over Arctic trade routes could undermine India’s maritime interests.
- Strengthening China-Russia ties could reduce India’s leverage in the region.
- China’s resource extraction projects could create environmental and economic imbalances.
Given these risks, India cannot afford to remain a passive observer. To counterbalance China and ensure its strategic autonomy, India must actively participate in Arctic security and governance forums.
Integrating a Geopolitical Pillar in India’s Arctic Policy
India must expand its diplomatic ties with Arctic nations to secure its long-term interests in the region. Strengthening relations with Norway, Sweden, Canada, and Russia will allow India to engage in climate research, energy security, and sustainable tourism. The India-Nordic Summit has already laid the groundwork for collaboration, but deeper partnerships are needed to enhance India’s Arctic influence and ensure access to critical resources and trade routes.
India’s neutral foreign policy positions it as a valuable strategic partner for Russia, especially given the West’s sanctions on Moscow. Strengthening India-Russia cooperation in key areas such as energy, shipping, and military exercises could boost India’s Arctic presence. With Russia controlling a significant portion of Arctic resources, deeper economic and infrastructure collaborations would help India secure long-term energy supplies. Additionally, joint Arctic research initiatives could enhance India’s scientific and technological capabilities in the region.
Beyond bilateral ties, India must actively engage in Arctic governance to assert its strategic role. The Arctic Council, the region’s primary decision-making body, currently limits observer states like India to non-voting participation. India should advocate for a greater role in policy discussions, ensuring that non-Arctic states have a say in regional developments. Strengthening ties with Japan and South Korea, which also have Arctic interests, could help India build strategic alliances to counterbalance the influence of larger powers like China and Russia.
By integrating a geopolitical pillar into its Arctic policy, India can ensure long-term economic and security benefits. Through diplomatic outreach, strategic cooperation with Russia, and active participation in Arctic governance, India can establish itself as a key stakeholder in the Arctic. As the region grows in global importance, India’s proactive engagement will be crucial in shaping its future role.
Conclusion
India’s Arctic engagement has largely focused on scientific research, but the region’s evolving geopolitical landscape requires a strategic shift. By integrating a seventh geopolitical pillar into its Arctic policy, India can strengthen diplomatic and security alliances, counter China’s growing influence, and take advantage of Arctic trade and resource opportunities. The Arctic is no longer just a remote, frozen expanse—it has become a critical geopolitical battleground. To safeguard its long-term interests, India must establish itself as an active stakeholder in the region. A proactive Arctic strategy will ensure India plays a key role in shaping the Arctic’s future while securing its economic, energy, and strategic objectives.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
