Russia and India are advancing discussions on joint Arctic shipbuilding projects, with Russia's Rosatom announcing progress after the inaugural meeting of a working group focused on collaboration on the Northern Sea Route (NSR). The meeting, held in New Delhi, brought together Russian and Indian officials, including Rosatom's special representative for Arctic development, Vladimir Panov, and India's Deputy Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, according to a press release by Rosatom.

During the talks, the delegations addressed several key areas of potential cooperation. This includes enhancing Russian-Indian cargo transit via the NSR, and establishing training programmes for Indian seafarers to navigate polar waters. A draft intergovernmental memorandum of understanding on shipping cooperation was also discussed, which aims to formalise future joint initiatives. Rosatom, which the Russian government designated as the NSR's infrastructure operator in 2018, oversees the federal project titled "Development of the Northern Sea Route." This initiative is part of a broader plan to improve the route as a year-round transport corridor connecting Europe, Russia, and the Asia-Pacific region. The company’s strategic objective is to bolster the NSR’s capacity as a viable and efficient shipping route, complementing its ambitions to develop a major transport corridor from St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad in the west to Vladivostok in the east.

The NSR is gaining strategic importance as it represents the shortest maritime link between Eurasia’s western regions and the Asia-Pacific, offering significant time savings for freight shipping compared to traditional southern routes. Rosatom is also actively working on the Great Northern Sea Route project, aiming to establish a continuous and reliable passage that would strengthen Russia's position as a major player in Arctic logistics. Future developments could see India tapping into these advantages, especially through increased cargo transit and maritime training. If finalised, the potential agreement would enhance bilateral ties in the maritime sector, and potentially bolster economic activity between the two nations across this vital corridor. However, the development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) also raises significant environmental concerns.

The region’s fragile ecosystem is particularly vulnerable to pollution, with the risk of oil spills, emissions, and other pollutants potentially causing long-term damage to Arctic marine life and coastal communities. Environmental groups have warned that increased maritime activity could disrupt habitats, while the harsh and unpredictable Arctic conditions amplify the risk of accidents and spills, making disaster response efforts more challenging. Moreover, the NSR’s expansion could accelerate the melting of polar ice due to increased emissions from vessels, further contributing to global climate change. Critics argue that while the route offers economic advantages, the environmental costs must be carefully managed, and robust regulatory measures enforced to mitigate the risks associated with large-scale commercial shipping through the Arctic.