India a stabilising factor in the Arctic, says Russian Ambassador

Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov speaks during an event, at the Russian Embassy in Delhi on December 12, 2024.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said his country sees India’s interest in increasing its presence in the Arctic as a “stabilising factor.” The diplomat expressed concern over the growing militarisation of the Arctic and the tensions generated by the NATO countries.

He cited the enhanced tempo of their military activity in the Arctic and attempts by European NATO members to impose their own rules of the game as inimical to sustaining security and stability in the region.

“We view India as a strategic partner in the joint development of the Arctic area and coordinated scientific, environmental, and commercial efforts,” he said, speaking at an India-Russia Arctic conference on “Uniting North and South: for Sustainable Development in the Arctic” organised by Vivekananda International Foundation and The Northern Forum of Russia.

The rise of tensions caused by NATO countries has negatively impacted the role of the Arctic Council, whose activities have been suspended since 2022,” the Envoy said.

“In contrast to their hostile approach, we value India’s constructive approach in the Arctic Council since its accession as an observer in 2013,” added Mr. Alipov. “At various multilateral fora, Russia and India stand together to preserve the Arctic as a territory of peace and stability and to unlock opportunities for its development as an engine of growth and cooperation.”

According to Mr. Alipov, Russia is in favour of collaborating with India on research on climate change, atmospheric studies, geosciences, glaciology and polar biology. He highlighted that Indian scientists are studying the hypothesis that the Arctic influences of the dynamics of the monsoon with a focus on South Asia.

The Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in Saint Petersburg and the Northern (Arctic) Federal University in Arkhangelsk cooperate with the Indian National Centre for Polar and Oceanic Research, as well as the International Centre for Polar Studies at the Mahatma Gandhi University and Cochin University of Science and Technology. In 2024, the two countries signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of scientific research in the Arctic.

Both countries have expressed mutual interest in exploring projects for the extraction of Arctic mineral riches, including energy resources and rare earth elements. Mr. Alipov noted that currently under consideration are opportunities for Indian companies to join projects promoted by NOVATEK and Gazprom Neft, two major Russian fossil fuel exploitation firms, in the Dolginskoye oil field and ventures in the Vostok oil cluster by partnering with Rosneft. There are also promising opportunities for Indian companies in the development of Yamal liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Arctic LNG-2 projects, added the diplomat.

Vladimir Vasilev, Executive Director of The Northern Forum, a membership-based international organization that currently has 12 member regions (most of which are Russian, along with the U.S. State of Alaska and the Gangwon Province in South Korea) and nine business partners, called for greater collaboration between India and Russia over research and development on the Arctic. There are several vacant research stations in the Arctic that India could utilise for conducting research, Mr. Alipov said.

Last October, the India-Russia working group on cooperation in the Northern Sea Route (NSR) held the first meeting where the targets for Indian-Russian cargo transit, possible training of Indian sailors for polar navigation and the development of joint projects in the Arctic shipbuilding were discussed.

The working group also drafted a memorandum of understanding for the development of cooperation in cargo shipping in the waters of the NSR. The NSR is the shortest shipping route connecting the western part of Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region, made possible due to the melting icecaps. “An intergovernmental memorandum between Russia and India on utilising the Northern Sea Route is under negotiation,” the Envoy said in this regard. “As agreed, we offer training to Indian seamen for navigation in northern latitudes.”

As India scales up investments in Russia’s Far East, cooperation on NSR featured in the joint statement issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow last July. Both sides shared approaches on building a “new architecture of stable and efficient transport corridors,” including for the purpose of “implementing the idea of a greater Eurasian space.”