The European Union has unveiled plans to strengthen its presence in the Arctic amid rising geopolitical tensions, climate change and competition over energy resources and critical minerals, as US President Donald Trump renewed his focus on Greenland's strategic importance and potential oil, gas and mineral reserves.
The EU's strategy, announced on Tuesday, proposes stronger maritime surveillance, protection of undersea communications cables, expanded transport links and a larger fleet of icebreakers. The move comes after Trump's threats to take control of Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, raised concerns over sovereignty and security in the region.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the changing security environment required the bloc to adjust its strategic posture. The EU plans to establish a cable-monitoring centre for the North Atlantic and Arctic, backed by cameras, sensors and satellites, and support a secure submarine cable connecting Greenland directly to the EU.
The bloc also intends to establish a Maritime Security Hub to monitor vessels associated with Russia's shadow fleet, as well as detect illegal fishing and pollution and support search-and-rescue operations. The EU has around 10 icebreakers, most of them in Finland, compared with approximately 40 operated by Russia, according to officials.
The strategy also envisages stronger transport links between Europe and the Arctic, connecting ports, railways, energy terminals and digital infrastructure. The EU said it did not intend to claim the Arctic as its own and reiterated its opposition to oil and gas extraction in the region.
Trump, meanwhile, announced on Tuesday that large-scale oil, gas and mineral exploration was preparing to begin in Greenland. In a post on Truth Social, he highlighted the island's resource potential and its importance to the defence of the United States and Europe.
The announcement followed an agreement signed last month by Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen to strengthen defence and Arctic security cooperation. The agreement came after months of diplomatic friction over Greenland's strategic position and Trump's stated interest in taking control of the territory.
As geopolitical competition intensifies, India has also called for deeper scientific cooperation on Arctic and climate research. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh urged India, Japan and South Korea to expand joint expeditions, share scientific data and research facilities, and strengthen links between Arctic and Himalayan studies.
Addressing the Arctic Circle Assembly 2026 on October 8, Singh said changes in the Arctic could affect regions far beyond the polar zone, including India's monsoon system, agriculture, water resources and livelihoods.
India's Arctic engagement began with scientific research in 2007, followed by the establishment of the Himadri research station in Ny-Ålesund in 2008. India became an Observer to the Arctic Council in 2013 and has since expanded its research activities, including winter expeditions.
Singh said India wanted to contribute to Arctic research while respecting international law, the region's environment and the role of Arctic states and Indigenous peoples. He also proposed using the next International Polar Year in 2032-33 as a milestone for sustained scientific cooperation.
The developments highlight the Arctic's growing importance as warming temperatures open new shipping routes and increase access to resources, while intensifying concerns over military security, infrastructure and the future governance of the region.
(With agency inputs from ANI and AP via PTI)