Northern Sea Route

Why in News?

Murmansk, popularly called the capital of the Arctic region and the beginning point of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), is witnessing the rising trend of Indian involvement in cargo traffic.

Northern Sea Route

The Northern Sea Route (NSR), spanning the Arctic’s Barents, Kara, Laptev, and East Siberian Seas, is the shortest freight route connecting Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Extending 5,600 km from the Kara Strait to the Bering Strait, it offers 50% distance savings compared to the Suez or Panama Canals, gaining prominence after the 2021 Suez Canal Blockage.

With a remarkable 73% growth in cargo traffic from 2018 to 2022, the NSR aligns with India’s increasing imports of Russian Crude Oil and coal, suiting its trade-focused economy. The Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor (CVMC) project enhances India’s interest in the NSR by providing an even shorter trade route.

Furthermore, India aims to balance China and Russia’s influence over the NSR. This engagement in the Arctic region reflects India’s strategic interests in economic security, environmental sustainability, and trade efficiency. As the Arctic undergoes transformations, India’s role in the region is expected to evolve, shaping its economic and geopolitical interests on the global stage