Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Russia Says India, China Are Most Productive Arctic Partners
Russia is a very big, cold country.
Part of Russia is near the Arctic, the icy top of the world.
Russia wants friends to help it work in the Arctic.
Russia says two countries called India and China are its best partners for this.
The Arctic is special because it holds lots of ice and fresh water.
Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, said India and China are Russia's friends.
They might use a path across the Arctic Ocean called the Northern Sea Route.
That route could help ships travel around the world faster.
Russia says it will follow international sea laws.
India is also thinking about sending a special 'polar ambassador' to work on Arctic matters.
Russia said India and China are holding the 'most productive' talks with Moscow on Arctic cooperation.
Russian Foreign Ministry official Vladislav Maslennikov made the remarks at the fourth Arctic – Regions Forum.
President Vladimir Putin said Moscow's 'friends' India and China want joint work on the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route.
Putin cited rising tensions in the Arctic and Asia-Pacific regions while reaffirming Russia's readiness to cooperate within international maritime law.
An Indian parliamentary panel in July recommended that New Delhi appoint a 'polar ambassador' to strengthen polar diplomacy.
- Who
- Russia, India, and China, represented by Russian Foreign Ministry official Vladislav Maslennikov and President Vladimir Putin.
- What
- Russia announced the most productive ongoing talks with India and China on Arctic cooperation and use of the Northern Sea Route.
- When
- Remarks were made on Thursday at the fourth Arctic – Regions Forum, a day after Putin's comments at Pacific Fleet exercises.
- Where
- Arctic region initiatives discussed from Moscow; Putin spoke at Pacific Fleet exercises.
- Why
- Russia seeks partners for Arctic cooperation and expanding global logistics amid rising tensions in the Arctic and Asia-Pacific regions.
- Event
- Fourth Arctic – Regions Forum
- Key official
- Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Problems, Russian Foreign Ministry
- Most productive partners
- India and China
- Arctic definition
- Region above 66 degrees north latitude
- Arctic facts
- Nearly 90% of the planet's ice sheet; stores 70% of fresh water
- India's July proposal
- Parliamentary panel recommended appointing a 'polar ambassador'
- Northern Sea Route
- Focus of Putin's cooperation offer, under existing international maritime law