
Historical Context of India-Russia Relations
India and Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) have shared a robust partnership since the Cold War era, marked by defense agreements, economic cooperation, and mutual support in international forums. This bond has been characterized by India’s reliance on Russian military hardware and Russia’s support for India’s geopolitical ambitions, including its stance on Kashmir. The phrase “best friend” resonates with this legacy, though it is an oversimplification of a complex, evolving relationship.
The Arctic as a New Frontier
The Arctic region has gained prominence due to climate change, which is melting sea ice and opening up new opportunities for resource extraction (oil, gas, rare earth minerals) and shipping routes, notably the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Russia, with the longest Arctic coastline, views the region as a strategic and economic priority, especially as Western sanctions since 2014 (and intensified post-2022 Ukraine invasion) have pushed it to seek alternative partners in Asia.
India, meanwhile, has emerged as an Arctic player through its observer status in the Arctic Council since 2013 and its Arctic Policy unveiled in 2022. This policy emphasizes scientific research, climate change mitigation, and economic opportunities, aligning with India’s energy security needs and global ambitions.
Current Developments in India-Russia Arctic Cooperation
- Strategic Partnership Expansion:
- Russia has increasingly welcomed India’s role in the Arctic, viewing it as a stabilizing force amid tensions with Western nations. In March 2025, Russian Envoy Denis Alipov highlighted India’s growing presence as a counterbalance to European NATO states’ attempts to impose their rules in the region, signaling Moscow’s pivot toward “Easternization” of Arctic governance.
- Talks of an Intergovernmental Agreement on the NSR underscore Russia’s intent to deepen collaboration with India, focusing on cargo transportation, energy projects, and maritime connectivity.
- Economic Opportunities:
- India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer, sees the Arctic as a potential source of hydrocarbons and minerals. Russia’s Arctic LNG projects (e.g., Novatek’s initiatives) and coal exports (e.g., coking coal for India’s steel industry) align with India’s energy diversification goals.
- The proposed Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, linked to the NSR, could enhance trade by connecting India’s eastern ports to Russia’s Far East, reducing reliance on traditional routes like the Suez Canal.
- Scientific and Environmental Collaboration:
- India’s Arctic expeditions, including its first winter mission in 2024 at the Himadri research base in Svalbard, complement Russia’s expertise in polar research. Joint efforts could focus on climate change impacts, such as the linkage between Arctic ice melt and the Indian monsoon, a critical concern for India’s agriculture-dependent economy.
Geopolitical Implications
- Russia’s Pivot to Asia: With the Arctic Council sidelined since 2022 due to the Western exclusion of Russia, Moscow is fostering a Eurasian Arctic framework. India, alongside China, is a key partner in this shift, though India’s approach differs from China’s more assertive “near-Arctic state” stance. Russia prefers India’s balanced diplomacy, which avoids overt militarization or challenging Arctic states’ sovereignty.
- Balancing Act for India: India must navigate its Arctic ambitions while maintaining ties with Western nations, especially the U.S., which views Russia and China’s Arctic moves with suspicion. India’s silence on Russia’s Ukraine actions and its continued oil imports from Russia (despite sanctions) has drawn Western scrutiny, yet its Arctic engagement remains pragmatic rather than ideological.
- Countering China: Russia’s growing reliance on China in the Arctic (e.g., via the Polar Silk Road) worries India, given the Sino-Indian rivalry. Strengthening ties with Russia allows India to counterbalance China’s influence, ensuring access to Arctic resources and routes on favorable terms.
Challenges Ahead
- Sanctions and Payment Mechanisms: Western sanctions complicate India-Russia trade, necessitating innovative solutions like rupee-ruble payment systems or barter arrangements for Arctic projects.
- Geopolitical Tensions: The Russia-Ukraine conflict and NATO’s expansion (e.g., Finland and Sweden joining) heighten Arctic militarization, potentially drawing India into a more contentious regional dynamic.
- Environmental Concerns: Both nations must balance economic exploitation with sustainability, as Arctic ecosystems face unprecedented stress from warming and industrial activity.
Conclusion
The India-Russia partnership in the Arctic reflects a blend of historical camaraderie and pragmatic modern interests. For Russia, India is a reliable ally to offset Western isolation and advance its Arctic agenda. For India, collaboration with Russia offers energy security, economic opportunities, and a strategic foothold in a geopolitically vital region. While the sentiment of Russia as India’s “best friend” captures a popular narrative, the reality is a calculated alliance adapting to a shifting global order. As of March 22, 2025, their Arctic collaboration is poised to play a major role, potentially reshaping regional governance and power dynamics—if they can overcome logistical, diplomatic, and environmental hurdles.