Why are tensions high in the Arctic?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

What is happening?

• The Arctic has remained isolated for centuries, but climate change is rapidly melting ice caps.
• This is opening access to untapped resources such as fossil fuels, rare earth elements, and fish stocks.
• New trade routes are becoming viable, increasing global competition for control over the region.

Who controls the Arctic?

• The Arctic is controlled by eight nations: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the U.S.
• These countries form the Arctic Council, which oversees environmental protection and indigenous rights.
• Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), nations can claim areas beyond their 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by proving their connection to the continental shelf.

Where do the tensions arise?

• Overlapping claims on the Arctic seabed by Canada, Denmark, and Russia have led to disputes.
• The U.S. and Canada disagree on whether the Northwest Passage belongs to Canada or is open to international navigation.
• NATO’s growing presence in the region has raised tensions with Russia, especially after recent geopolitical conflicts.
• The Arctic has also gained strategic military importance, with concerns about control over key maritime routes.

Why does the Arctic matter?

• The Arctic holds an estimated 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of untapped natural gas.
• Greenland has vast deposits of rare earth elements, attracting global investment.
• The Northeast Passage along Russia’s coast could shorten trade routes between Asia and Europe by 8,000 km, reducing costs significantly.
• This route is of particular interest to China, but Russia controls access, creating geopolitical uncertainty.

What lies ahead?

• Some nations have already taken steps to assert control, including military exercises and symbolic claims.
• Russia has military bases in the Arctic and has conducted naval exercises with China.
• NATO has expanded its presence in the region, but concerns remain about its ability to operate effectively in Arctic conditions.
• As climate change continues, geopolitical competition over the Arctic is expected to increase.