India Seeks Arctic Partnerships with Like-Minded Nations

In recent years, Russia has perceived India as one of its key partners in the Arctic. In turn, India is taking an active interest in the region. The country’s goals and objectives are outlined in the official Arctic Policy, with practical steps in the Arctic underway in line with the Document. What areas are of key interest to India? How does India see the model of governance in the Arctic? What is the vision for interaction with Russia? What is the role of the academic community in fostering relations between Russia and India on Arctic issues?

Dr. Natalia Viakhireva, RIAC program manager, discussed these and other issues with Lt Gen G A V Reddy, Strategic Advisor, Synergia Foundation (India) and Maj. Gen. Ajay Sah, Chief Information Officer, Synergia Foundation (India).

In recent years, Russia has perceived India as one of its key partners in the Arctic. In turn, India is taking an active interest in the region. The country’s goals and objectives are outlined in the official Arctic Policy, with practical steps in the Arctic underway in line with the Document. What areas are of key interest to India? How does India see the model of governance in the Arctic? What is the vision for interaction with Russia? What is the role of the academic community in fostering relations between Russia and India on Arctic issues?

Dr. Natalia Viakhireva, RIAC program manager, discussed these and other issues with Lt Gen G A V Reddy, Strategic Advisor, Synergia Foundation (India) and Maj. Gen. Ajay Sah, Chief Information Officer, Synergia Foundation (India).

The Future of the Arctic Council. Working Paper

India published its Arctic Strategy in 2022. The year of 2022 happened to become a turning point for international cooperation in the Arctic. What are the core interests that India has and pursues in the Arctic? Do you see any changes in the vision of India’s policy in the region since 2022 amid changes in the Arctic?

Ajay Sah: Among the various opportunities that India sees, in respect to Russia, the Arctic is at the top of the agenda. It is definitely right at the top, since Russia is amongst the largest stakeholders of the Arctic’s resources. Unlike Antarctic, which has been accepted a part of the “global commons”, people do not accept the Arctic as such. Every country that is part of the Arctic “club”, the Artic Council, says that they have sovereign national stake in terms of ground which they own. Canada is one of the biggest claimers, but Scandinavian countries, Iceland, Finland, Russia, the U.S. are on the list as well. India feels that China, without having any physical claim in the Arctic, is trying to play a greater role. There is the Arctic Council, where India and China are observer states. So, we want to play a greater role in the Arctic because it beautifully links the international community. One of the developments that Russia is pushing for today is to build roads in Siberia to the Arctic. India also wants to play a role in the economic development and discuss ideas. We want to be part of Russia’s route in the Arctic. Once it opens, which the climate is ensuring, the Northern Sea Route will be open for a larger part of the year. India is very keen on that, but it does not want to claim land. Unlike Antarctic, which is part of the global commons, every country with a physical presence in the Arctic will be the first to claim the Arctic’s resources. Somebody from Asia—Japan, India, even China—may not be able to exploit the resources directly. I don’t think any Arctic countries will permit it. So, if there are early partnerships in exploiting the Arctic resources, we want to be involved. It is like the Sakhalin oil fields that we invested in. If we become a participant in the development of the Arctic at an early stage, then we strengthen to benefit nationally. And what better partner can we have than Russia?

G A V Reddy: I would also like to add, specifically on your question. Regarding whether there has been a change in India’s stated vision regarding the Arctic and all it concerns, and the actual implementation of India’s Arctic Policy, the answer is that there have been no changes to India’s Policy and its vision of the Arctic’s future, and the benefits of partnering with other countries to explore the options that are available (cost localization, wealth of resources). After all, it is the most under-localized region, as far as it comes to the vastness of resources. India has a vision to see that the future lies in the Arctic when it comes to sharing resources. And, as my colleague has mentioned, India is only an observer. We don’t have a direct claim, but we can always partner with a country like, let’s say, Russia, where we can be partners and benefit ourselves, India, as well as share our experience and expertise with our partner. So, that is the vision that India had. Even today, that vision stays. It has pulled through the geopolitical agenda and Indian politics. This vison statement will not change. After all, it is a core national interest, which is reserved in this Arctic vision. It is part of India’s political dynamics; this core national interest has not changed.

Bipandeep Sharma:
A Suspended Arctic Council: New Hope with Norway’s Chairmanship

India has been an observer in the Arctic Council since 2013. Though the Council hasn’t been functioning in full scale since 2022. Are there concerns in India about the status and role of the Arctic Council and India’s role in it? How the governance structure in the Arctic is seen from India? Should the Arctic Council be preserved, or any alternative structure could and should be created?

G A V Reddy: As for the question, can we preserve the Arctic council? The Arctic is a global desire. Every responsible nation would like to be there. But is it practical and feasible? It is beyond any responsible nation’s desire to preserve the Arctic. I was privy to that kind of development that is taking place in the Arctic. The sea ice is rapidly shrinking because of the climate impact. So, maybe responsible nations would like to preserve the Arctic, but it is only possible when they address the adverse climate impact that it is visible in the Arctic. It is beyond one nation or certain group of nations to preserve the Arctic region. It must be a combined effort because of the adverse impact of what climate can do to all of us. Second part, what is India’s role? India wants to be partnered with like-minded nations who are part of this region and have the vision to preserve the Arctic. One is monetizing the Arctic, which is purely a nation’s monetary desire. Then beyond that, if a responsible nation wants to contribute to the global common good. There are no agendas. That nation should think of preserving the Arctic, not just exploit the monetarization of the Arctic. India is not looking to monetarize the Arctic. Russia has a national strategy of “easternizing” the Arctic. We don’t see that Russia is monetarizing the Arctic, it has a vision for the Arctic, so that is how we look at it.

So, it is less about the importance of the Arctic Council, and more about the final goal and Arctic vision for India?

G A V Reddy: Yes, the macro-tendencies are particularly important. We don’t have to monetize the Arctic today and then do away with it, because then it would have far-reaching, serious implications for the entire region.

Luiza Brodt:
Increased Asian engagement in the Arctic and Russia-India cooperation in the region

Ajay Sah: See, there is strong opposition to giving space to countries which are not residents of the Arctic. That is why India has not been able to make any progress. The Artic Council is always committed to Arctic countries. Currently, India may not always be able to make an impact on the Arctic Council. Like you have mentioned, in the last 2-3 years, there have been a lot of conflicting issues about the Arctic, like the militarization of the Arctic, airbases showing up in the Arctic, the West accusing Russia of carrying out large-scale military exercises and troop deployments, and then Canada and the U.S. saying they will reactivate their air fleets. The Arctic is becoming, again, a geopolitical hot point. That is because of the contestation there today, countries in Europe will have their interests reflected in the Arctic. After the end of the Cold War, for 20–25 years, no one spoke of the Arctic. There were hopes that the Arctic would be developed. That is how India and China were encouraged to send in parties to explore the Arctic. India has a semi-permanent presence in the Arctic and many research stations. But actually, there is so much more to the Arctic; not only because of the fish, because once the ice melts, there are many other riches other than fish. Another thing is the critical elements, rare earth minerals. It may have them in the largest amount in the world. Largest amount of these rare earth minerals, which are basic metals for your smart phones, batteries, TV’s. It is no longer fossil fuels, which of course, may be there and will be exploited in the Arctic. Now, it’s the rare elements, critical minerals. So, if India is to be in the top three or four technology states, India has to source them. Because countries already sitting in the Arctic Council will not have a democratic distribution of the resources. The first claim will be from countries that are already part of the Arctic, who have confirmed, legitimate stake, and lie within the Arctic circle. Of course, Russia has a huge part in it, and we would like a part in it. This has not started today; it has been going on for some time. Even Russian officials say this would be really good. I could not analyze why there would be a change in the policy.

Russia diversifies cooperation in the Arctic and perceives India as one of the key partners in a number of fields and projects. What are priority areas for India in the cooperation with Russia in the Arctic?

G A V Reddy: We can be a partner, a collaborator to help in the actualization of Russia’s Arctic Vision. Like I said, the easternization of the Arctic is your vision. The question is, what can India do to supplement Russia’s efforts in the Arctic zone, the Arctic region? That is the question. Russia has to tell Indian experts what to do. That is the first question Indians would ask. So first, Russia has to tell India, “OK if you want to be with us, as far as the Arctic is concerned, then we expect India to do A, B, C, D”.

We have identified, as you rightly brought up, several domains where we can be partners with Russia. One is in logistics and mobility, there is the North-South corridor. It has a strategic importance and relevance for India because then we can provide the movement of goods and various services, energy, and all those things. That way we can move it through Europe. But we would like it directly delivered to India; through Central Asia, through the new North-South Corridor. Mobility is an option—creating new travel routes rather than relying on those that exist. A mobility corridor through the Arctic region.

Tobby Simon:
The Internet Is Easy. What You Need Is Fundamental Science

Second includes mineral resources and precious metals, as well as the vast basket of resources that lay in this region. The requirement is to map it, identify it and then figure out how to extract it, mine it, localize it. This requires a lot of specialized technology, skilled men. India has got enough expertise in this group. So, India can step up and identify, and then subsequently mine, those vast resources of minerals and precious metals. This could be utilized, whether it is Russia or India, whoever wants it. That is where India can help Russia.

Then, we also see the Arctic, for some part of the southern periphery, is going to be the future area where Russia will invest and create infrastructure, non-military infrastructure. That’s where India can step in; to help Russia with creating those non-military infrastructure projects in the region, which serves to improve that region, humankind, the people who are already residing in that area. So that the habitat can benefit. So that there are peaceful projects that have nothing to do with militarizing the region. Because we have expertise in that domain, creating infrastructure, as required by Russia.

The fourth important aspect is that Russia needs human resources. Russia desperately needs skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled manpower. And India has an abundance of that. You will appreciate being the most populace country in the world. India will be more than happy to share this kind of human resource, as required by Russia to localize this kind of human resource. To optimize the Arctic region. So, these are the domains.

What are India’s other partners? Is Russia the main one, or are there other partners in certain areas?

G A V Reddy: We are looking to only partner with Russia. Nobody else. Obviously, India is not keen to partner with China. Neither is it a good proposal for China to partner with us. Because of the long-enduring, good relations that we had with Russia, India feels that it is only worth investing in this domain in the Arctic region with Russia, not any other country. We feel that Russia is a trusted partner for India, and it will continue to be so. The bond enjoyed between India and Russia is unparalleled when it comes to the relations India has with any other nation. So, in this context, India would only like to partner with Russia. When it comes to the Arctic region or the optimization of the Arctic region.

Russia — India Relations in Broader Geopolitical Context. RIAC an Synergia Foundation Report

In your opinion, what think think-tanks and experts in Russia and India can do together to promote Arctic cooperation?

G A V Reddy: Talking about India, I should admit, the attention being paid to the Arctic region, per se, is very limited, very peripheral. So, as a think tank in India, we at Synergia, are trying to give that kind of information to all policy makers and stakeholders. What is the Arctic region and what are we talking about? What is the relevance of this? What is the importance of this region for the coming years? For the future? So, it is spreading awareness of the strategic importance. To explain why India will have to play a role in the Arctic region. This is what think tanks are expected to do. Synergia is already doing this; we have written certain articles that has touched on those issues which many stakeholders should know about. So, we are already a step ahead in spreading awareness about this. The next step for a think tank is going beyond this initial information sharing, raising awareness on this issue. We have to come out with some specific proposals for India and explain how to live with other like-minded nations, to address issues that are common Arctic concerns of these nations. So, that is the next step.

Does Synergia collaborate with any Russian think tanks or Russian universities on the issue, or not yet?

G A V Reddy: The fact that we are both talking, representing both Synergia and RIAC, I think, is a good start. This should be a catalyst in the coming months to have more informed interaction between Synergia and RIAC on this vast canvas in which we can discuss and come up with various options to think of how to better the Arctic region. Many opportunities are available for both nations to figure out how to deal with the Arctic region as a future strategy.