Russia Invites India to Join Arctic Council and Develop Northern Sea Route for Enhanced Maritime Trade

Discussions are underway regarding New Delhi's potential participation in the development of the Northern Sea Route.

Moscow:

Russia is actively pursuing India's involvement in an Arctic power play centered on the 'Northern Sea Route', with membership in the Arctic Council being considered. While India currently maintains a small permanent presence in the Arctic, it seeks to expand its foothold to access the region's abundant natural resources.

Is India poised for a significant Arctic entrance? Negotiations are in progress concerning New Delhi's possible role in developing the Northern Sea Route (NSR), a new navigation corridor that extends along Russia's Arctic coastline. The question remains whether India, Russia's longstanding partner, will pursue opportunities in this emerging domain of Arctic geopolitics.

Amidst significant geopolitical and maritime instability, discussions are focused on India's potential contribution to the development of the Northern Sea Route—an emerging Arctic shipping corridor that could transform global trade logistics. The NSR, traversing the Arctic Ocean along Russia's northern shores, is up to 40% shorter than conventional southern maritime routes like the Suez Canal, offering expedited, safer, and more economical cargo transportation between Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Vladimir Panov, Special Representative for Arctic Development at Rosatom—Russia's state nuclear energy corporation and the NSR's infrastructure operator—emphasized the route's strategic significance during an exclusive interview with NDTV at the World Atomic Week in Moscow, held September 25-28, 2025. Panov stressed that collaboration with interested countries like India could substantially influence the NSR's future development.

India has established Himadri, a permanent research station in the Arctic, situated at the International Arctic Research base in Ny Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, approximately 1,200 kilometers from the North Pole. Established on July 1, 2008, Himadri functions as a center for Indian scientific research across various disciplines, including atmospheric, oceanographic, and climate change studies. During his Arctic visit last year, India's Earth Science Minister Kiren Rijiju remarked, "Life in the Arctic is so unique! India's research station Himadri in the Arctic is now made into a permanent station to be operational round the year!"

"The Northern Sea Route represents more than just a new shipping lane—it's the final major addition to global marine logistics for centuries to come," Panov stated. "Given the instability in traditional maritime corridors like the Red Sea and increasing piracy threats in Southeast Asia, the NSR provides a secure and efficient alternative. India, as Russia's trusted long-term partner, can play a crucial role in this transformation."

Panov noted that Russia has deployed eight nuclear icebreakers, including four next-generation vessels, to ensure year-round navigation through the NSR. These icebreakers create channels through Arctic ice, allowing even non-ice-class vessels to navigate the route safely. He cited recent examples of Chinese cargo ships successfully completing NSR voyages in just 18 days—reducing travel time by over three weeks compared to traditional routes.

India's interest in the NSR isn't recent. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Moscow visit in July 2024, both nations agreed to establish a joint working group under their intergovernmental commission to explore Arctic shipping cooperation. This group, co-chaired by Vladimir Panov and India's Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, convened its first meeting in New Delhi in October 2024. Topics included joint Arctic shipbuilding projects, training Indian sailors for polar navigation, and drafting a memorandum of understanding for cargo shipping cooperation along the NSR.

Panov emphasized the economic foundation of the NSR, stating, "Everything we do on the Northern Sea Route is connected to the economy. It cannot be just an experiment—it must be profitable and efficient. India's sea trade with Russian ports has immense potential to shift to this route."

Beyond logistics, Panov addressed India's observer status in the Arctic Council—a multilateral forum comprising eight Arctic states. He explained that Council membership is determined by geographic criteria but noted that in today's interconnected world, economic and practical cooperation could also provide an important basis for international dialogue.

"India is deeply connected to Arctic trade and logistics. It's time we move beyond politics and create a structure where all stakeholders are equal. We've already initiated this process with India through our bilateral format," Panov said.

This perspective was reinforced at the International Arctic Forum in March 2025, where senior Indian and Russian officials discussed long-term development models for the NSR. Rosatom's Director General Alexey Likhachev advocated for increased cargo traffic and additional icebreakers, projecting future volumes reaching up to 150 million tons.

India's strategic interest in the NSR aligns with its broader energy security objectives. The route offers uninterrupted access to Russian energy supplies, avoiding conflict-prone regions like the Red Sea. Indian officials have expressed interest in integrating the NSR with the Eastern Maritime Corridor and the North-South Transport Corridor, enhancing connectivity between India, Russia, and Europe.

Russia's invitation for India to join the NSR and help shape a new Arctic cooperation framework represents a pivotal moment in Indo-Russian relations. It reflects a shared vision for economic resilience, maritime innovation, and geopolitical balance in a rapidly evolving global landscape.