The Role of Non-Arctic Powers in the Arctic Geopolitical Space

The Arctic region is increasingly emerging as a pivotal factor in the geopolitical landscape of international relations. It serves as an arena where the interests of major global powers converge, encompassing vast mineral reserves, territorial disputes, and the ongoing development of the Northern Sea Route. Arctic nations are establishing frameworks for cooperation and regional development, resulting in the creation of international organizations such as the Arctic Council and the formulation of comprehensive programs for the sustainable development of northern territories. This article aims to assess the involvement of non-Arctic powers in the development of the Arctic. Notable emerging actors include the People’s Republic of China, India, South Korea, Japan, and the European Union. Our examination reveals their significant contributions to economic development, the establishment of scientific centers focused on ecological research and climate change, as well as mineral exploration. Furthermore, this research raises important questions regarding the legal status of the Arctic seas, particularly those through which commercial vessels navigate. In the foreseeable future, potential scenarios involve further modifications to the institutional governance of the Arctic region, an expansion of the Arctic Council’s authority and membership, and the negotiation of new international legal agreements to facilitate cooperative interstate development in the Arctic based on effective and trust-based partnerships.

1. The Arctic in the focus of modern geopolitics. Institute of Regional Problems, 2015. (In Russ.)

2. Doroshev, A. Yu. (2018). Arctic policy of Japan: achievements, challenges and prospects for further advancement. Oikumena. Regional studies, No. 2, pp. 154–162. (In Russ.)

3. Eremina, N. V. (2019). Arctic policy of the European Union: tasks and problems. Oikumena. Regional studies, No. 4, pp. 30–39. (In Russ.)

4. Zaikov, K. S. and Bhagwat, D. V. (2022). The Arctic policy of India: historical context. Arctic and North, No. 48, pp. 261–274. (In Russ.)

5. Karandasheva, V. Yu. (2019). China’s policy in the Arctic region. Problems of the post-Soviet space, No. 6, pp. 24–32. (In Russ.)

6. Personal site of political scientist N. Baranov. Classical geopolitics. [online] Available from: https://nicbar.ru/politology/study/kurs-geopolitika/198-tema-4-klassicheskaya-geopolitika (accessed: 31.07.2023). (In Russ.)

7. Collins, D. (2017). The Arctic in the period of geopolitical changes: assessment and recommendations. Official website «Russia in Global Affairs». [online] Available from: https://globalaffairs.ru/articles/arktika-v-periodgeopoliticheskih-peremen-oczenka-i-rekomendaczii/ (accessed: 31.07.2023). (In Russ.)

8. Pecheritsa, V. F., Shuang Lei (2019). The main directions of Chinese policy in the Arctic. Russian-Chinese studies, V. 3, No. 4, pp. 7–16. (In Russ.)

9. Official site of the Russian International Affairs Council. Russia and China in the Arctic. An example of constructive cooperation. [online] Available from: https://russiancouncil.ru/blogs/vpryahin/rossiya-i-knr-v-arktike-primer-konstruktivnogo-sotrudnichestva/ (accessed: 31.07.2023). (In Russ.)

10. Official website of the Government of the Russian Federation. Strategic session on the development of the Northern Sea Route. [online] Available from: http://government.ru/news/48669/ (accessed: 31.07.2023). (In Russ.)

11. H.-G. So, Ch.-K. Pak and Chistov, I. (2021). Goals and objectives of the state policy of the Republic of Korea in the Arctic. World economy and international relations, T. 65, No. 8, pp. 90–96. (In Russ.)

12. Khazieva, R. R., Karpova, E. I. (2023). Differences in US policy towards the Arctic in accordance with the National Security Strategies. Arctic XXI century. Humanitarian sciences. Yakutsk : NEFU Publishing House, No. 2 (32), pp. 58–69. (In Russ.)