The Northern Sea Route, promoted by Russia as an effective and profitable alternative to traditional trade routes, is becoming a key tool for developing global logistics and strengthening the economic sovereignty of Eurasian countries in opposition to Western hegemony.

Russia, India, and China are building a new trade bridge

On 12 August, 2026, the Russian President Vladimir Putin observed Russia’s Pacific Fleet drills, and while addressing the troops on board the missile cruiser Varyag, he said that “Russia has always upheld its unwavering commitment and reaffirms its readiness to work with others in the Arctic to benefit from the advantages the Northern Sea Route has to offer.” He also said that “countries that want and are interested in working with us primarily include our friends: China, India, and other countries.”

President Putin stressed the importance of the Arctic region and condemned Japan’s new political administration that is aiming to militarise the region along with the help of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). President Putin also referred to Japan’s illegal claims over the possession of the Kuril Islands. Apparently, Japan could use its claims over the Kuril Islands to disrupt and sabotage the Northern Sea Route.

There is no doubt that the Northern Sea Route is the most effective alternative to the West’s hegemony over trading routes and could act as the game changer for international shipping and trade. It is also working well within the ambit of the international law of the sea, as it was referred to by President Vladimir Putin. It is also welcoming that Russia “will definitely welcome opportunities for working with our friends, as well as all countries willing to take part in this instrumental and extremely promising initiative to expand global logistics,” President Putin added.

Russia calls for partnership in the Arctic

President Putin has extended an olive branch not only for its friends like China and India, but also for other countries, including the Eurasian nations, including Japan, Australia, South Korea, and others. Russia has offered this at a very critical juncture when the Strait of Hormuz is fully closed, and the Strait of Bab el Mandeb is also uncertain. Likewise, with the activities of Houthi rebels, shipping through the Red Sea and Suez Canal has been disrupted, and this disruption could not be repaired soon.

Why the Northern Sea Route in the Arctic is Important?

The Northern Sea Route aims to completely circumvent the Suez Canal, where the United States maintains unnecessary military presence. For instance, every civil or military vessel passing through the Suez Canal has to pay certain fees to the Egyptian administration for maintaining the canal, but President Donald Trump asks for US naval vessels to be either exempted from such fees or given a considerable fee waiver. This is due to the American policy of permanently deploying its forces in the region and increasing Egypt’s dependence on American military for security against a number of threats.

The Western powers colonized the free people of the world during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and exploited the mines and minerals of such nations. Even after leaving those countries, they left behind puppet governments and political systems that benefitted the West. This strategy enormously strengthened the West politically, militarily as well as economically. This is why the Bretton Woods System and later the World Trade Organization monopolised the international trade and continued to maintain the West’s hegemony.

During President Putin’s visit to India in December 2025, Russia signed very important agreements with India, including giving access to the Indian Navy to Russia’s Arctic naval ports and “training in polar operations and logistics support under a five-year agreement, deepening Russia–India military cooperation in the Arctic.”

India and Russia also operationalised the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) in January 2026, which was ratified a year before. A report by the US Jamestown University, besides the Northern Sea Route, Russia and India are working closely on the International North–South Transport Corridor and the Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor. Such initiatives could bring significant opportunities not only to India, but also to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, and other Eurasian nations.

Likewise, China is successfully reaping the rewards of the Northern Sea Route. In November 2025, the vessel Istanbul Bridge made its voyage using the Northern Sea Route, as it started from Ningbo-Zhoushan, China, and reached Felixstowe, United Kingdom, travelling through the Arctic waters. The ship departed on 23 September 2025, and reached on 13 October, 2025, in just 20 days. Whereas the route through the Suez Canal used to take 50 days.

Conclusion

Russia’s geographical location opens up new opportunities for Arctic ports, which are becoming a vital link in the global logistics network. The Northern Sea Route (NSR) benefits the international community: it reduces the distance between the countries of Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region by 40 per cent, whilst also halving transit costs and journey times.

President Vladimir Putin noted that, in the past, it had been possible to establish a constructive dialogue with the former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. However, according to the Russian leader, the current Japanese administration has changed its approach, which has had a negative impact on bilateral relations.

Against the backdrop of instability in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Red Sea, caused by geopolitical tensions, the Northern Sea Route is emerging as a strategic alternative. The crisis in the Middle East is damaging global trade, affecting the interests of millions of people. In these circumstances, the interest in the Northern Sea Route shown by China and India – the world’s largest economies, striving to maintain their pace of development – seems entirely natural.

Simon Westwood is a master’s student at Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland. He is also a Research Assistant at the DCU’s Department of History. Courtesy

https://journal-neo.su/2026/08/14/the-arctic-breakthrough-how-russia-is-redrawing-the-map-of-global-maritime-transport/