India in the Arctic, Russian Arctic Investments and Securitization of Arctic Science

This edition tracks the shifting currents in Arctic development and diplomacy—from major investments in Russia’s Murmansk region to India’s Arctic ambitions, and from the securitization of polar science to warnings of irreversible climate collapse.

• India Stakes Its Arctic Claim

• Murmansk Expands Its Arctic Capital Zone

• Arctic Science Under Scrutiny: A new study finds that Arctic research is being securitized, with geopolitical tensions reshaping international scientific cooperation.

• Science Review: Arctic Collapse at 2.7°C

• Russia Approves Indigenous Peoples Development Plan

Arctic Circle India Forum Highlights Expanding Global Stakes in the Arctic

The Arctic Circle India Forum convened in New Delhi on May 3–4, underscoring the growing strategic, scientific, and economic importance of the Arctic for both polar and non-polar nations.

The two-day event featured 22 sessions and drew ministers, diplomats, scientists, and defense officials to discuss climate impacts, Arctic governance, and emerging geopolitical dynamics.

Key topics included Arctic governance reform, climate-biodiversity links, maritime security, and India's expanding polar engagement. The closing sessions emphasized the Arctic’s rising influence on global politics, science, and trade. (source here)

India Sees Arctic as Key to Global Future, Says Foreign Minister

India considers the Arctic of “huge significance” for its future, as the region’s transformation is set to reshape the global economic and geopolitical order, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said during the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025 held in New Delhi on May 4.

“Given the trajectory of Arctic development, its impact will be global, raising widespread concern. Warming is opening new routes, while technological and resource aspects could alter the world economy. For India, this has huge significance as our economic growth accelerates,” Jaishankar said, according to The Economic Times.

He emphasized that India’s engagement with the Arctic is growing, building on its more than 40 years of experience in Antarctica. In recent years, India adopted a formal Arctic policy and signed a cooperation agreement with Norway’s KSAT for satellite operations in Svalbard.

“As the country with the largest youth population on the planet, what happens in the Arctic is of vital importance to us,” Jaishankar added. “Given the direction of developments, the consequences will be felt not just by us, but by the entire world.”

Jaishankar also drew a connection between the Arctic’s future and shifts in the U.S. political landscape, underlining the region’s increasing role in global affairs.

Murmansk’s Arctic Capital Zone to Expand in 2025 Amid New Investments

The Arctic Capital Advanced Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) in Murmansk will be expanded in 2025 to accommodate new projects, drawing over 150 billion rubles (approx. $1.65 billion) in fresh investment, according to regional officials. The expansion is expected to generate around 1,000 new jobs.

Currently, the ASEZ hosts eight resident companies, with four projects already operational. Major initiatives include the Lavna coal terminal, Tuloma terminal, Udarnik fish terminal, and facilities for producing LNG floating platforms and Arctic transport solutions.

According to the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation, resident firms have already invested more than 277 billion rubles ($3.05 billion) and are projected to create over 4,600 jobs.

Launched five years ago, the Arctic Capital ASEZ offers investors tax incentives, simplified infrastructure access, and administrative support. (source here)

If you are interested in how Russia has created Special Economic Zone in the Arctic read my open access article in Arctic Yearbook

Securitization of Arctic Science

Scientific cooperation in the European Arctic is increasingly viewed through a security lens, according to a recent study published in Polish Polar Research. The article, "Securitization of Scientific Cooperation: The Case of the Arctic," by Monika Szkarłat of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, argues that mounting geopolitical tensions, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s expanding Arctic presence are reshaping the landscape of Arctic research.

Drawing on the Copenhagen School’s securitization theory, Szkarłat finds that scientific collaboration in regions like Svalbard is no longer insulated from global power dynamics. Szkarłat argues that this securitization is a complex, multi-level process shaped by both national and supranational actors. The European Union plays a central role by introducing regulations on research security and foreign interference, effectively acting as a securitizing agent. In contrast, the Arctic Council is characterized more as a knowledge broker, given its consensus-based approach. The study also highlights the influence of functional actors such as think tanks, research institutions, and international forums in framing the security narrative around Arctic science.

Science Review Warns of Arctic Collapse at 2.7°C Warming

A new review in Science by Stroeve et al. warns that if global temperatures rise by 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels the Arctic will undergo irreversible transformation.

The region is warming four times faster than the global average, with areas like the Barents Sea warming at seven times the rate. At 2.7°C, the Arctic Ocean would be ice-free for months each summer, Greenland’s melt zone would quadruple, and half of all permafrost would vanish, causing land collapse and infrastructure damage.

The changes threaten marine ecosystems, polar species, Indigenous communities, and global sea levels. The authors urge urgent emissions cuts and international cooperation to avoid losing the Arctic as we know it.

Russia Approves Long-Term Plan for Indigenous Peoples Development

Russia has formally adopted a new Concept for the Sustainable Development of Indigenous Small Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East through 2036, updating a previous strategy from 2009. The decree, signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on May 11, mandates that all federal and regional authorities align their planning with the Concept starting January 2026.

The policy outlines wide-ranging goals: protecting Indigenous lands, supporting traditional livelihoods, improving access to education and healthcare, and preserving cultural heritage. It includes plans for infrastructure upgrades, digital inclusion, and market support for traditional goods. The Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs (FADN) must submit a detailed implementation plan within six months.

Past efforts often stalled amid extractive development, limited Indigenous consultation, and environmental degradation. With Arctic resource competition intensifying, the gap between policy and practice remains a pressing concern. The new Concept's success will largely depend on its implementation and the extent to which Indigenous voices are genuinely included in decision-making processes. Without concrete measures to ensure land rights, cultural preservation, and political participation, the policy risks being perceived as symbolic rather than substantive.

Some personal updates

Last month I took part in my book "ARKTIS" launch in Helsinki and now you can order it online. Later the book will be available as a downloadable PDF. I will let you know!

Last week I took part in the Arctic Spirit conference in Rovaniemi, where I presented my research on the Pact for the Future. My research compares UN global frameworks, notably the 'Pact for the Future', with the Arctic's unique processes and governance structures.

The aim is to understand the implications of the Pact for Arctic governance and cooperation, particularly within the context of the current global landscape and geopolitical dynamics, such as Russia's opposition to the Pact.

Lastly this week, I spoke at the webinar "How do we balance sustainability with the environmental and social impacts of data centres?" jointly hosted by Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) and Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network, exploring critical questions surrounding the future of data centers in the Arctic region. The recording of the webinar will be available later.

This week, we also witnessed the handover of the Arctic Council Chairmanship—an important event that merits a dedicated analysis, which I will share with you shortly.

I hope you enjoyed reading Arctic Highlights!

Have a great weekend!

Yours,

Alexandra Middleton