Mr Bipandeep Sharma is a Research Analyst at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Click here for detailed profile.
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Mr Bipandeep Sharma’s article ‘A Suspended Arctic Council: New Hope with Norway’s Chairmanship’, has been published in Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) Moscow on 02 March 2023.
The Ukraine crisis, shifting geopolitical alliances in the Indo-Pacific and Western-imposed economic sanctions on Russia have strengthened China–Russia cooperation in the Arctic.
India needs to strengthen its existing bilateral relations with all the Arctic countries and continue to re-emphasize its call for peaceful resolution of Arctic disputes.
The exit of Western oil companies from energy projects in the Russian Far East provides opportunities for India to enhance its stakes in these projects.
By enabling access to logistics and support facilities at each other’s bases and ports, RELOS would enhance strategic cooperation between India and Russia, and promote their future manoeuvres in the Arctic and the Indian Ocean Region.
Melting of the polar ice-sheets and their scientific inter-linkages to Indian monsoons, necessitate India to undertake scientific studies in the Arctic and Antarctica. An independent PRV with required icebreaking capabilities will be a crucial requirement in this regard. It is also important considering the pace of the geo-political and geo-economic transitions happening in the Arctic.
Given India–Russia longstanding relationship and formal mechanisms of cooperation, the Arctic brings new opportunities. From joint oil and gas development projects to connectivity via shipping and fibre optic routes, the Arctic offers untold opportunities for joint investments and partnerships. It is time India and Russia explored new areas of mutual benefit in the Arctic.
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Mr Bipandeep Sharma’s paper ‘De-Securitising the Arctic’ in Climate Change: An Indian Perspective’, has been published in India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, which is a flagship journal of Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) by SAGE, on October 14, 2021.
The paper analyses the rapidly transforming Arctic that has led to rethink the concept of security in the region.
India–Russia Energy Cooperation in Russian Far East
The exit of Western oil companies from energy projects in the Russian Far East provides opportunities for India to enhance its stakes in these projects.