10:00 10.07.2026
Resources, Ecology, and Status: Why BRICS Countries Are Expanding Presence in the Arctic
© Russian Arctic and Far East Development
The Arctic agenda in BRICS took shape in 2015 during Russia’s chairmanship, when the Polar and Ocean Research track was launched by a working group on scientific and technological cooperation. Initially, the move was intended to raise awareness of the climate change in the Arctic and the Antarctic, which, undoubtedly, affects all member states. However, over time, the interests of BRICS countries in the Northern Hemisphere have extended beyond the scientific sphere.
An Arctic.ru correspondent discussed with experts why the high latitudes attract even countries located south of the equator and how BRICS cooperation in the Arctic is going.
A Matter of Image
Today, BRICS comprises 10 countries, including the original five - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, whose initials gave the group its name - and five countries that joined more recently - Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Regardless of geographical location, all of them are seeking, to varying degrees, to participate in the Arctic agenda.
According to Maria Lagutina, Professor at the Department of World Politics at St Petersburg State University, who spoke at the forum, The Arctic - Our Common Home, the reason for this is not limited to economic benefits and scientific interest.
“We wonder what does participation in the Arctic affairs offer to a variety of non-Arctic countries. Today, it is a matter of image; it enhances their status in the international arena and serves as a key component of a certain great-power standing. In order to occupy a certain position in the global hierarchy today, countries need to participate in Arctic cooperation,” she said.
In other words, the Arctic is a region of such global importance that involvement in its exploration and development raises a country’s standing in the eyes of the international community. The format in which countries demonstrate presence in this part of the world depends on their current needs, capabilities, and the geopolitical situation.
Having analyzed current projects and stated intentions of all BRICS member states in the Arctic, Maria Lagutina noted that scientific cooperation remains the dominant track within BRICS. Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and South Africa focus exclusively on research as they take part in climate discussions and establishing links between research centers.
However, the other members of the BRICS Ten are pursuing a broader range of interests, both within the group and through other formats. For example, in light of recent developments, Iran is exploring opportunities to alter logistics routes. According to experts, the North-South Transport Corridor could potentially provide the country with access to the Arctic.
Unloading materials for deploying the new North Pole 40 drifting station in the Arctic
© RIA Novosti / Anna Yudina
The UAE has actively engaged in cooperation in the energy and logistics sectors, including areas related to the development of the Northern Sea Route, and specific projects have been launched in partnership with Russia.
Against the backdrop of its activities within the BRICS working group, Brazil even sought observer status in the Arctic Council, but its application was rejected.
“Nevertheless, the country has established contacts in the energy sector, and a considerable number of Brazilian experts are working for energy companies in Canada and Norway. This is another way for them to be involved,” Maria Lagutina said.
India and China hold observer status in the Arctic Council and both have expressed interest in cooperation in the Arctic, although the level of activity differs significantly. While China has been developing its icebreaker fleet, conducting its own research, and participating in Russian projects for quite some time, India entered the northern latitudes only recently.
“I would say 2025 became India Year in the Arctic. A large number of events were held at Russian and Indian venues where prospects for joint cooperation were discussed. It is clear that three areas - science, climate, and energy - are indeed of fundamental importance,” the expert said.
However, she emphasized that a significant portion of BRICS countries’ cooperation in the polar sphere takes place outside the framework of the group through bilateral and multilateral formats. Moreover, Russia, the only Arctic state among BRICS members, is almost always one of the parties involved in these projects.
“Partners prefer to work directly with Moscow, very often bypassing the collective BRICS mechanisms, which they view as bureaucratic and more complicated. It is more difficult for ten countries to come to terms than, for example, for two or three countries,” Maria Lagutina noted.
Multilateral cooperation is generally focused on research activities and centered on the original five founding countries. The membership may vary, but Russia remains the key link in most projects.
Bilateral cooperation, which already covers a broader range of areas, is dominated by the Russia+ format. If we look at the list of Arctic projects that have been implemented or planned over the past decade, China is the second-largest participant in the overwhelming majority of cases.
“Bilateral cooperation has a limited scope. Today, Russian-Chinese cooperation is the foundation, but we are seeing Brazil, India, and the United Arab Emirates gradually becoming more engaged and showing interest specifically in the Russian Arctic,” the professor said.
A Promising Partner
Experts are saying that of all BRICS members India could significantly expand its presence in the northern latitudes in the foreseeable future. In 2022, the country adopted its Arctic policy, one of the key pillars of which is building up its national capabilities in the region.
According to Raj Kumar Sharma, Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations at SGT University and Research Fellow at the NatStrat research center, India’s priorities also include scientific research, environmental protection, the economy, transport, communications, and the development of international cooperation. Energy, logistics, and science should underlie India-Russia relations in the Arctic.
An oil and gas condensate deposit in the Tazovsky District of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area
© RIA Novosti / Maksim Blinov
In terms of energy cooperation, Indian investment is already flowing into the Russian Arctic, including projects focused on hydrocarbon production and the exploration of new deposits. In addition, imports of oil and coal products from the Arctic continue to play an important role. According to the expert, this is particularly significant for a country with a population of nearly 1.5 billion people, whose dependence on imports for certain resources reaches 80 percent.
From a logistics perspective, India is not as strongly interested in the Northern Sea Route as China, given its geographical location and the fact that it is itself a major maritime power. However, the development of the North-South Transport Corridor will enable India to import energy resources, including through overland routes, and export its products to northern markets.
“In addition, there are opportunities for cooperation in shipbuilding and ship repair, the construction and modernization of Arctic port infrastructure, as well as the development of space-based communication technologies in the Arctic,” Raj Kumar Sharma said.
Progress is being made in the research sphere as well. Over the past five years, cooperation between research organizations has intensified, and memorandums of understanding have been signed between several Indian research centers and Russia’s Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.
However, there are also a number of constraints limiting the expansion of cooperation. According to the expert, that includes sanctions, which require a cautious approach to investment in Russian Arctic projects, as well as the lack of advanced technologies on the Indian side for operations in extreme Arctic conditions.
The icebreaker Dudinka at Dudinka seaport
© RIA Novosti / Alexandr Kryazhev
As for cooperation within the BRICS ecosystem, Raj Kumar Sharma sees moderate prospects. On the one hand, diversity is an advantage of the group, and Russia and India can serve as a bridge for cooperation among other member states. On the other hand, the rivalry between India and China on the global stage, including in the Arctic context, cannot be ignored.
“I do not see prospects for a common RIC format over the next five years, as the gap between India and China is too wide. It is only possible if Russia cooperates bilaterally with India and separately with China. In this respect, India’s presence in the Arctic will reduce Russia’s dependence on China and, accordingly, while supporting the strategic autonomy of countries, help preserve the balance in a multipolar world,” the expert said.
A Choice between Sovereignty and Internationalization
Differences in the policies of individual BRICS countries are not the only obstacle to successful cooperation within the group in the northern latitudes, Maria Lagutina said. Different levels of Arctic identity and the imbalance between multilateral and bilateral forms of cooperation, with the latter prevailing, create asymmetries that do not contribute to achieving common goals.
Returning to the point that Arctic presence is a matter of image, there are also hidden challenges here, primarily for Russia. In seeking a certain status on the global stage, BRICS countries view the territories beyond the Arctic Circle as a global rather than merely regional space.
“Everyone is talking about the changing balance of power between NATO and Russia within the Arctic Eight. But another balance of power is also taking shape here, another system, so to speak, where we have BRICS countries and Western Arctic countries. This is a new emerging balance both in the region and in the world,” Maria Lagutina said.
In this context, one of the key questions for Russia is finding the right balance between sovereignty and internationalization of the Arctic zone. As the largest Arctic power, it, together with other countries of the region, advocates preserving the existing system of governance, with the Arctic Council serving as the leading platform. At the same time, many BRICS countries seek to expand the rights of Arctic Council observer countries and of countries participating in Arctic development more broadly.
“Within the framework of BRICS polar cooperation, Russia acts as the coordinating country, and I believe this trend will continue because it reflects objective reality. However, one of the most important obstacles to building a sustainable partnership may be differences in positions on the Arctic. If the members of the group fail to reach some form of consensus and find common ground in rhetoric, certain limitations to cooperation may emerge,” the expert said.
According to her, in this situation Russia needs to promote its own vision of the Arctic agenda more actively and to coordinate cooperation with BRICS countries primarily on the basis of its national interests. In addition, it should adopt a differentiated approach, recognizing that BRICS in the Arctic is not a single entity but rather a combination of stakeholders with varying interests, each of which requires a tailored approach.
“Russia’s Arctic strategy needs a roadmap for engagement with non-Arctic countries and BRICS countries, so that our partners clearly understand us and so that we ourselves can define our key interests, our vision, and the principles that are fundamental to us,” Maria Lagutina said.
