Arctic Region: Significance & Geopolitical Tensions

Table of contents

The Arctic, often referred to as the Earth’s climate regulator, is undergoing rapid transformations due to climate change. As climate change melts its icy barriers, previously inaccessible resources and strategic trade routes are now within reach, fueling competition among global powers.
- Russia’s expanding military presence, NATO’s growing foothold with Sweden and Finland, and disputes over vital waterways like the Northwest Passage have intensified tensions.
The absence of a robust legal framework, unlike the Antarctic Treaty, makes the region vulnerable to militarisation and power rivalries, raising concerns about global stability & security of trade corridors.

About Arctic Region

Arctic Ocean - PMF IAS

It is the northernmost region of the Earth, spreading around the North Pole.
It consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States (Alaska).
It is the smallest and shallowest ocean of the five principal oceans on the Earth.
It is partly covered by sea ice (frozen seawater that floats on the ocean surface) throughout the year, and almost completely during the winter months.
The Arctic Ocean’s surface temperature and salinity vary seasonally depending on the freezing and thawing of the ice cover.
Its salinity is the lowest, on average, of the 5 major oceans due to low evaporation, heavy freshwater influx from rivers and streams, and limited connection and outflow to surrounding oceanic waters.
The Ocean is home to the longest continental shelf in the world.
Though considered a “Global Common” it does not have an international regime to identify it as such. Being an Ocean, it is governed by the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Global Common refers to resource domains or areas that lie outside the political reach of any one Nation State i.e. Every nation has equal access to it.

Significance of Arctic Region

Global Climate Regulator: The Arctic influences ocean currents and air circulation, impacting global weather patterns such as monsoons, hurricanes, and droughts.
Arctic Ice & Climate Change: The Arctic’s ice cover reflects solar radiation, regulating global temperatures, while its rapid melting contributes to rising sea levels, threatening major coastal cities.
Natural Resources & Energy Security: The Arctic holds 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of undiscovered natural gas, along with vast reserves of coal, uranium, gold, and rare earth minerals.
Northern Sea Route & Global Trade: It reduces shipping distances between Europe & Asia by up to 50%, lowering fuel costs & carbon emissions while offering an alternative to the Suez & Panama Canals.
Climate & Space Research Hub: The Arctic provides critical data for climate modeling, space weather monitoring, and atmospheric science, aiding in satellite communications and GPS accuracy.
Medical & Pharmaceutical Discoveries: Arctic ecosystems contain extremophiles and unique microbes with potential applications in medicine, including next-generation antibiotics & anti-cancer drugs.

Major Areas of Tension in the Arctic Region

Greenland Dispute: Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to buy Greenland heightened geopolitical concerns, prompting Denmark to strengthen its Arctic policy and seek European support.
Northwest Passage Dispute: Canada claims the passage as internal waters, while the U.S. insists on international navigation rights, fueling a sovereignty dispute.
Russia vs. NATO: Russia’s Arctic militarisation, including its 2007 North Pole flag-planting, has escalated tensions amid NATO’s expansion with Sweden and Finland.
Svalbard Dispute: Russia’s claims over Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, despite the 1920 Svalbard Treaty recognising Norwegian sovereignty, have intensified Arctic geopolitical rivalries.
Strategic Military Importance: The Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gap remains a critical corridor for Russian naval movements, making it a key focus for NATO’s Arctic defense strategy.

Read More About the Arctic Region & India’s Arctic Policy.

Implications of Arctic Tensions on India

Energy Security Risks: Geopolitical conflicts, particularly between Russia and NATO, could impact India’s access to Arctic oil and gas reserves, which account for over 40% of the global supply.
Trade Route Disruptions: Rising militarisation threatens India’s plans to utilise the Northern Sea Route (NSR) for cost-effective and time-efficient trade with Europe.
Strategic Balancing Act: India must navigate complex diplomatic challenges between Western nations and Russia while maintaining Arctic partnerships, such as scientific collaborations with Norway & the U.S.
Climate Change Impact: Arctic tensions may divert attention from climate action, delaying critical research that influences India’s monsoons, glacial health, and sea-level rise.
Economic Uncertainty: Instability in the Arctic could disrupt India’s investments in seabed mining, Arctic infrastructure, and scientific exploration projects.

Impact of Arctic Climate Change on India’s Monsoon & Glacial Stability

Monsoon Variability: Arctic warming disrupts the Jet Stream, leading to erratic monsoons, causing droughts or floods in India.
Himalayan Glacial Melt: Rising Arctic temperatures accelerate Himalayan glacier melt, threatening river flows and water security in India.
Rising Sea Levels: Melting Arctic ice contributes to sea level rise, increasing coastal erosion and submergence risks for Indian cities.
Extreme Weather Events: Arctic-driven climate shifts intensify cyclones, heat waves, and floods, worsening India’s disaster vulnerability.
Agricultural Disruptions: Monsoon unpredictability and shifting precipitation patterns reduce crop yields, impacting food security in India.

Challenges in Managing Arctic Tensions

Geopolitical Rivalries: Heightened competition between Arctic and non-Arctic nations, particularly Russia, the U.S., and China, fuels disputes over resource claims and military influence.
Maritime and Territorial Disputes: Overlapping claims under UNCLOS create legal conflicts over seabed resources, navigation rights, and strategic chokepoints.
Military Build-Up: Russia’s Arctic expansion and NATO’s increasing presence escalate the risk of armed confrontations in the region.
Indigenous Rights and Livelihoods: The interests of Arctic indigenous communities remain marginalised, despite their dependence on the fragile ecosystem for survival.
Limited Governance Frameworks: The Arctic Council lacks enforcement authority on security issues, reducing its ability to mediate conflicts.
Economic Exploitation Risks: The race for Arctic oil, gas, and rare earth minerals raises concerns about unregulated extraction, environmental degradation, and resource-driven disputes.

Way Forward

Strengthen Arctic Governance: Reinforce the role of the Arctic Council and international treaties like UNCLOS to ensure peaceful cooperation and dispute resolution.
Demilitarization Efforts: Promote diplomatic engagement among Arctic states to prevent military escalation, drawing from Cold War-era Arctic security agreements.
Sustainable Resource Management: Establish global protocols for responsible Arctic resource extraction to prevent exploitation and ecological harm.
Promote Scientific Collaboration: Enhance joint research on climate change, oceanography, and biodiversity, fostering international cooperation.
Maintain Freedom of Navigation: Develop a neutral Arctic maritime governance framework under UNCLOS to ensure open, conflict-free shipping routes.
Engage in Multilateral Diplomacy: Strengthen mediation through global organisations like the United Nations to resolve territorial disputes peacefully.
Economic Cooperation: Encourage shared infrastructure and trade partnerships to mitigate geopolitical tensions and promote balanced Arctic development.

The Arctic is a vital global asset, a stabiliser, an economic center, and a strategically significant geopolitical region. As tensions over resources and territorial claims rise, proactive diplomacy, sustainable resource management, and international collaboration are essential to ensure long-term stability, environmental protection, and peaceful coexistence in the region.

Reference: The Hindu | PMFIAS: India’s Arctic Expedition

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 134

Q. Assess the implications of Arctic climate change on India’s monsoon variability and glacial stability. (150 Words) (10 Marks)

Approach

Introduction: Briefly introduce the Arctic’s role as a global climate regulator and highlight its warming impact on atmospheric and oceanic circulation.
Body: Discuss how Arctic climate change affects India’s monsoon variability and Himalayan glacial stability with scientific linkages.
Conclusion: Emphasize the urgency of climate adaptation, global cooperation, and sustainable water management to mitigate risks.