Greenland has moved from geopolitical obscurity to strategic prominence in recent years. While traditionally under Danish sovereignty with internal autonomy, the island has increasingly become a stage for power politics—most notably marked by aggressive and overt interest from the United States. For India, which closely watches great-power behavior and territorial assertiveness globally, Greenland offers a revealing case study of how strategic interests often override diplomatic norms.
🌍 Climate Change and the Arctic Power Shift
Melting Arctic ice has opened new sea lanes that significantly shorten maritime routes between Asia, Europe, and North America. These routes have enormous commercial and military implications. Greenland’s geographic position places it near the heart of these emerging corridors. Much like the Indian Ocean Region, the Arctic is becoming a contested space where control over chokepoints, logistics hubs, and monitoring capabilities defines strategic dominance.
🔒 Militarisation of Greenland and U.S. Strategic Pressure
The United States already maintains critical military infrastructure in Greenland, including advanced surveillance and missile-warning systems. However, Washington’s posture has evolved from quiet strategic presence to open political pressure. Statements suggesting U.S. “ownership” or control over Greenland reflect a hard-power mindset that prioritizes strategic advantage over sovereign sensitivities. For India—facing similar pressure tactics in its neighborhood—this reinforces concerns about how major powers behave when strategic stakes rise.
💎 Resource Politics and Economic Coercion
Greenland holds vast reserves of rare earth elements and critical minerals essential for advanced technology, defense manufacturing, and clean energy transitions. The U.S. push to limit rival access—particularly China—has translated into strong economic and political pressure on Greenlandic authorities. This mirrors a broader global trend where resource security increasingly drives coercive diplomacy, a phenomenon India must navigate carefully as it secures its own critical mineral supply chains.
🏛️ Undermining Allies: Denmark, Greenland, and U.S. Overreach
Despite Denmark being a long-standing NATO ally, U.S. rhetoric and actions have at times openly disregarded Danish sovereignty and Greenlandic self-determination. This willingness to pressure even close allies underscores a transactional approach to diplomacy. For Indian policymakers, this is a reminder that strategic autonomy remains essential—alliances can shift, but national interests endure.
🤝 Great-Power Rivalry and the Arctic as the New Indo-Pacific
The Arctic today resembles the Indo-Pacific of a decade ago: rapidly militarising, economically valuable, and politically contested. The U.S., Russia, and China are all positioning themselves for long-term influence. Greenland sits at the center of this rivalry. India, though not an Arctic power, has growing stakes through climate impact, trade routes, and multipolar stability—making Arctic developments strategically relevant to New Delhi.
🇮🇳 Why Greenland Matters to India
India’s Arctic engagement is based on scientific research, climate responsibility, and respect for international law. Greenland’s situation reinforces India’s long-held position against territorial coercion, economic arm-twisting, and selective interpretation of sovereignty. Observing U.S. behavior in Greenland strengthens India’s resolve to advocate for rule-based order—whether in the Arctic, Indo-Pacific, or Himalayan region.
⚖️ Conclusion: Lessons for a Multipolar World
Greenland’s geopolitical awakening exposes an uncomfortable truth: power politics remains alive, even among democracies. The United States’ aggressive posturing—driven by military advantage and resource security—demonstrates how strategic imperatives can eclipse ethical diplomacy. For India, Greenland is not a distant Arctic island, but a mirror reflecting the realities of a multipolar world where sovereignty must be guarded, strategic autonomy preserved, and international norms consistently defended.
