India and the Arctic: Strategic Vision

As the Arctic ice recedes due to climate change and geopolitical dynamics continue to reshape global trade, the Northern Sea Route (NSR) is emerging as a viable new shipping corridor linking Europe and Asia. This development presents a unique opportunity for India, which has been an early participant in Arctic affairs through the Svalbard Treaty and its research base, Himadri. With the unveiling of its Arctic Policy in 2022, India has laid the groundwork for deeper engagement, but now needs to shift towards actionable strategies—particularly enhancing its Arctic-ready shipbuilding capacities. The 2025–26 Union Budget's allocation of $3 billion towards the Maritime Development Fund and its focus on creating shipbuilding clusters is a forward-looking move in this direction.

Why the Arctic Matters to India

1. Climate Change and Its Influence on Indian Monsoons
The Arctic acts as a global thermostat, and its accelerated warming has profound consequences for India’s climate, particularly the monsoon system. As Arctic sea ice diminishes, it alters atmospheric patterns, resulting in erratic rainfall.
Research shows that reduced sea ice in the central Arctic can cause decreased rainfall in peninsular and western India, while increasing precipitation in northern and central regions—affecting agriculture and water resources.
Given that the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, the stakes for India's food security and water management are extremely high.

2. Energy Security Through Arctic Resources
The Arctic is a treasure trove of untapped hydrocarbons, holding approximately 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of its natural gas reserves.
India, heavily reliant on energy imports, views the Arctic as a potential source of diversified supply.
Partnerships with Russia in projects like Sakhalin-I and Vankorneft illustrate India’s growing footprint in Arctic energy ventures. In fact, Russia’s Arctic oil exports have recently become a key component of India’s energy mix.

3. Transforming Maritime Trade Routes
The melting Arctic ice is gradually opening up the Northern Sea Route, a significantly shorter shipping passage between Europe and Asia.
For India, this reduces dependency on traditional bottlenecks like the Suez Canal, slashing both shipping times and costs.
Increased cargo traffic through the NSR, which reached nearly 38 million tonnes in 2024, signals growing global adoption of this route.
India's strategic investments in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) via Russia further enhances its connectivity to Arctic-linked trade networks.

4. Access to Critical Minerals for Future Technologies
The Arctic’s vast mineral reserves, including rare earth elements crucial for electronics, renewable energy, and defense, align with India's ambitions under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and the National Critical Mineral Mission.
Greenland, with substantial rare earth deposits, represents a potential strategic partner for India in securing access to these critical resources.

5. Advancing Polar Research and Scientific Diplomacy
India’s Himadri station in Svalbard stands at the forefront of its Arctic research efforts.
Given the climatic parallels between the Arctic and the Himalayas, India’s polar research contributes valuable insights into high-altitude ecosystems.
India's scientific collaboration with countries like Norway, especially on climate linkages between the Arctic and Indian subcontinent, underlines its growing role in global environmental science.

Current Challenges in the Arctic Region

1. Rapid Environmental Degradation and Climate Feedback Loops
The Arctic is warming at an unprecedented pace, threatening to destabilize global climate patterns.
NASA data suggests Arctic sea ice is disappearing at a rate of 12.2% per decade, and projections indicate potential ice-free summers by 2050.
Melting permafrost is releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, thereby intensifying climate change.

2. Escalating Geopolitical Competition
The Arctic is becoming a zone of intense rivalry, with disputes over maritime routes and undersea resources intensifying among nations like Russia, Canada, and the United States.
Russia’s expanding military footprint in the Arctic and disputes over the Northwest Passage reflect rising strategic tensions.

3. Environmental Risks of Resource Extraction
While the Arctic's vast energy and mineral wealth offers economic promise, its fragile ecosystem faces significant threats from drilling, mining, and shipping.
Oil spills and ecological disturbances remain pressing concerns as extraction activities increase.

4. Gaps in Global Governance Structures
Despite the Arctic’s global importance, it lacks a robust, enforceable legal framework for managing resource use and environmental protection.
The Arctic Council plays a coordinating role, but without binding authority.
UNCLOS provides some legal guidance, but competing territorial claims continue to hinder cohesive policy-making.

5. China’s Expanding Arctic Strategy
China has declared itself a "Near-Arctic State" and is investing heavily in Arctic infrastructure under its Polar Silk Road initiative.
This raises strategic concerns for India, particularly as China seeks greater control over emerging shipping lanes and resource hubs.

6. Disruption of Arctic Cooperation Post-Ukraine Conflict
The war in Ukraine has strained diplomatic relations among Arctic Council members, leading to a suspension of collaborative efforts with Russia.
This has impacted vital scientific exchanges and data sharing—especially on climate change and permafrost research—at a time when such collaboration is urgently needed.

India’s Path Toward Sustainable Arctic Engagement

1. Deepening Scientific Engagement
India can bolster its influence by investing more in Arctic research, particularly in fields like climate modeling, glaciology, and environmental monitoring.
Upgrading research infrastructure and forging partnerships with Arctic countries will enhance India’s contributions to global climate science.

2. Championing Fair and Sustainable Resource Governance
India can advocate for the creation of a binding international framework that promotes responsible and sustainable use of Arctic resources.
This should emphasize environmental safeguards, community rights, and equitable access, reflecting India’s commitment to multilateralism and global environmental justice.

3. Leading Green Energy Solutions in Polar Regions
India’s leadership in renewable energy technologies can be extended to the Arctic through joint ventures in wind and solar power.
Deploying clean energy systems in research outposts and local communities can reduce dependency on fossil fuels in the region.

4. Promoting Environmental Diplomacy on Global Platforms
India can use its growing diplomatic influence to spotlight Arctic climate issues in forums like G20, BRICS, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Hosting or initiating multilateral discussions on Arctic climate resilience can position India as a voice for sustainable development.

5. Establishing Arctic-Specific Environmental Protocols
India can support the creation of tailored sustainability standards for Arctic shipping, construction, and resource use.
These protocols would help minimize ecological damage while enabling controlled economic activity in the region.

6. Supporting Indigenous Rights and Cultural Preservation
India can play a proactive role in advocating for the rights of Arctic indigenous peoples, ensuring their voices are central to development plans.
India’s democratic principles and inclusive policies can serve as a model for community-centered resource governance.

7. Facilitating Sustainable Arctic Infrastructure
By promoting green architecture and energy-efficient infrastructure in the Arctic, India can contribute to low-carbon development.
Collaborations could include sustainable port design, eco-tourism projects, and the deployment of smart energy systems in remote areas.

Conclusion

The Arctic holds multifaceted significance for India—from influencing monsoon dynamics to offering new frontiers for trade, energy, and innovation. As the global spotlight shifts northward, India must align its strategic interests with a commitment to sustainable development. Strengthening research capacities, promoting clean technology, and shaping inclusive governance mechanisms will be essential for India to emerge as a responsible and influential Arctic stakeholder.