Murmansk, often hailed as the capital of the Arctic, and the starting point of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), is experiencing a noteworthy surge in Indian involvement in cargo traffic. India’s growing interest in the NSR is driven by multifaceted motives.
Arctic’s Significance for India
The Arctic region, situated above the Arctic Circle and centered around the North Pole, holds great importance for India due to its vulnerability to climate change. The region’s rapid transformations could impact India’s economic security, water security, and overall sustainability. Moreover, the Arctic holds massive potential for untapped hydrocarbon reserves. Experts estimate that the area might harbor more than 40 percent of the world’s current oil and gas reserves, along with substantial deposits of coal, zinc, and silver.
India’s Arctic Engagement
India’s Arctic engagement traces back to the Svalbard Treaty of February 1920. This involvement encompasses diverse scientific studies, including atmospheric, biological, marine, hydrological, and glaciological research. Initiatives like the establishment of the research station Himadri in Svalbard in 2008 and the launch of a multi-sensor moored observatory and northernmost atmospheric laboratory in 2014 and 2016 respectively, underline India’s commitment. Notably, thirteen successful Arctic expeditions were conducted until the previous year. In May 2013, India secured observer-state status in the Arctic Council, joining the ranks of five others, including China.
The Northern Sea Route
The Northern Sea Route (NSR), spanning four Arctic Ocean seas, stands as the shortest shipping route for freight transport between Europe and Asia-Pacific nations. Stretching over 5,600 kilometers, the NSR commences at the Barents-Kara seas boundary and concludes at the Bering Strait in Provideniya Bay. Studies suggest that utilizing the NSR can reduce distances by up to 50% compared to the conventional Suez or Panama shipping lanes. The blockage of the Suez Canal in 2021, which lies on the widely-used Europe-Asia maritime route, has further spotlighted the NSR’s potential.
Russia’s Icebreaking skill
Given the Arctic Ocean’s year-round icebound condition, ensuring safe navigation along the NSR necessitates icebreaking assistance. Russia uniquely possesses a nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet, a critical factor in making the NSR navigable. These icebreakers play a pivotal role in maintaining a secure passage for vessels.
Driving Factors for India’s NSR Participation
The NSR offers India a secure and dependable route for importing crude oil and coal from Russia, a trend that has gained momentum in recent years. The route assumes special significance for India due to its geographical location and heavy reliance on maritime trade. The Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor (CVMC) project adds to this impetus, proposing a connection for organized international container transit through the NSR. This corridor, spanning 10,500 kilometers through the Sea of Japan, South China Sea, and Malacca Strait, could significantly reduce transport time to 12 days, a mere third of the existing 16,000-kilometer St. Petersburg-Mumbai route. Notably, discussions are underway regarding the potential for China and Russia to jointly influence the NSR.
UPSC Mains Questions
- How might India’s increased engagement in the Arctic through the NSR impact its geopolitical relationships, particularly with nations like Russia and China?
- What potential environmental risks could the growing cargo traffic through the Arctic region pose, and how might India contribute to mitigating these concerns?
- Considering the advantages of the NSR, what transformations could we anticipate in global trade routes, and how could this impact the economies of traditionally dominant maritime nations?
- As the Arctic region gains prominence, what legal and diplomatic challenges might India encounter as it seeks to secure its interests while respecting the sovereignty of Arctic nations?
