INDIA’S ARCTIC POLICY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSIAN-INDIAN COOPERATION

Abstract

Currently, the Arctic is at the center of the global agenda, which is primarily due to the increasingly obvious geopolitical and geo-economic potential of this region. Climatic changes, the discovery of rich deposits of natural resources, and the emergence of new shipping opportunities have pushed not only circumpolar states, but also countries far enough geographically from the Arctic to intensify their activities here. India is gradually becoming one of the largest players in the Arctic region, a country with which Russia has long-standing friendly ties. The article analyzes India's Arctic policy, its compliance with the national interests of the country, its impact on the current state of Russian-Indian relations and the prospect of their development and deepening in the context of the transformation of the world order in the 21st century. The main attention is paid to the disclosure of the main stages of the evolution of the Indian state's attitude to the Arctic, the analysis of key documents reflecting India's vision of its Arctic policy, and the assessment of prospects for Russian-Indian cooperation in this area. It is concluded that strengthening cooperation in the Arctic meets the national interests of both countries. India gets access to the natural (primarily energy) resources of the region, the opportunity to diversify its transport routes, and acquire new polar technologies. For Russia, in the context of unprecedented Western sanctions, India acts as a reliable partner in scientific research, energy and infrastructure projects, which makes it possible for the Russian Federation to strengthen its leadership position in the Arctic in the BRICS+ and reduce its potential dependence on China in the investment and technological sphere, thereby avoiding the latter becoming a monopoly partner of the Russian Federation in the Arctic.

Keywords:

ARCTIC, INDIA, STATE POLICY, NATIONAL INTERESTS, RUSSIAN-INDIAN COOPERATION