Archive · 15 Aug 2026
India, Russia Discuss Deeper Northern Sea Route Cooperation, MEA Says
India and Russia are talking about working together on a big shipping route through the sea.
This route, called the Northern Sea Route, lies near Russia's Arctic coast at the top of the world.
Normally, ships travel a long way south through the Suez Canal to move between Europe and Asia.
The new route is much shorter for ships going between these two continents.
Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, wants more countries to use this Arctic route.
He said India and China are very interested in helping develop it.
India's foreign ministry spokesperson said the two countries are already having discussions about it.
Russia is building new icebreakers and ports to make the route safe and useful.
This cooperation could help India trade more easily with Russia.
Both countries say they will follow international maritime laws while developing the route.
India and Russia are holding discussions to deepen cooperation on the Northern Sea Route, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said connectivity remains an important part of India's multi-faceted cooperation with Russia and that talks on the route are ongoing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin named India and China among key partners interested in developing the Arctic corridor, speaking Wednesday to Pacific Fleet personnel aboard the missile cruiser Varyag.
The Northern Sea Route runs along Russia's Arctic coastline north of Siberia and offers a shorter maritime connection between Europe and Asia than the traditional route through the Suez Canal.
Russia is investing in infrastructure along the corridor, including ports, navigation facilities and nuclear-powered icebreakers, to expand capacity for international commercial shipping.
- Who
- India and Russia, including MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and Russian President Vladimir Putin
- What
- Discussions to deepen cooperation on the Northern Sea Route for Arctic trade connecting Europe and Asia
- When
- Announced Friday at the MEA weekly press briefing, following Putin's remarks on Wednesday
- Where
- India and Russia, focused on the Northern Sea Route along Russia's Arctic coastline north of Siberia
- Why
- Russia seeks to develop the Arctic corridor into a major trade route, while India aims to strengthen trade and connectivity with Russia
- Countries involved
- India and Russia
- Route
- Northern Sea Route along Russia's Arctic coastline north of Siberia
- Status
- Ongoing discussions confirmed by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
- Putin's remarks
- Named India and China as key partners; addressed Pacific Fleet aboard the missile cruiser Varyag on Wednesday
- Alternative route
- Traditional maritime route through the Suez Canal
- Russian infrastructure investment
- Ports, navigation facilities and nuclear-powered icebreakers
- Related initiatives
- International North-South Transport Corridor and Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route
- Legal framework
- Development within the framework of international maritime law
