Cooperation between Russia and India in the Arctic: A pipedream or a strategic necessity

Abstract

The aim of the article is to explore areas of cooperation between Russia and India with specific reference to the Arctic. The Russian Federation has sought strategic partners for the development of the Arctic, with it’s primary focus being the development of the oil and gas industry and the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Russia and India have had diplomatic relations in diverse spheres such as space, atomic energy, defense, and the petroleum industry. Russia’s focus on the Arctic ushers in many more opportunities for cooperation. India is one of the few countries to which Russia has accorded investment opportunities in the oil and gas and the diamond industry. As a result, India has made significant investments in Russia’s oil and gas industry. The article highlights that the energy deficit in India is critical, value of imports is rising and this consequently affects the development of the country. Oil production has been declining marginally and gas production is almost static. There is therefore a need to sign diverse long-term contracts for petroleum products like China has been doing with Russia. The article also suggests that there is a case for increased Indian investment in the Arctic in diverse spheres. The need for greater cooperation in scientific research, development of the NSR and possible utilisation of the enormous technically qualified human resources that India has in diverse areas of the Arctic is noted. The article based upon systemic and comparative analysis concludes that Russia-India cooperation in the Arctic is a strategic necessity.