President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia is witnessing growing interest from partner countries, including India, in cooperation on the Northern Sea Route.

He made these remarks while addressing personnel of the Pacific Fleet aboard the missile cruiser Varyag. Putin emphasised that India is among the key nations actively engaging with Russia on Arctic shipping initiatives, which Moscow views as strategically vital amidst Western sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict.

Putin warned of what he described as rising artificial tensions in the Arctic. He attributed these to external actors and NATO’s expansion, suggesting that such developments are contributing to instability in the region.

Despite these challenges, he stressed that Russia’s cooperation on the Northern Sea Route remains firmly within the framework of international maritime law. He reiterated that Moscow has consistently voiced its readiness to leverage the advantages of the route in partnership with friendly nations such as China and India.

The Russian president highlighted that India’s growing interest in the Northern Sea Route reflects a broader trend of countries seeking diversified maritime corridors. He underlined that Russia is prepared to work with these partners to develop Arctic shipping infrastructure and ensure secure trade flows. This cooperation is seen as a way to bypass traditional chokepoints and mitigate risks posed by geopolitical disruptions in southern maritime arteries.

Putin also issued a stern warning regarding European Union actions against Russian merchant vessels. He declared that any confiscation of Russian ships would amount to piracy and banditry. He cautioned that Moscow would respond in kind if such measures were implemented, making clear that retaliatory actions would not be confined to maritime zones alone. He stressed that Russia would act wherever it deemed necessary and appropriate.

These remarks follow intensified EU efforts to curb Russia’s so‑called shadow fleet, which is suspected of helping Moscow circumvent sanctions, particularly those targeting crude oil exports.

The European bloc has expanded its sanctions regime to cover hundreds of vessels, with some European states detaining ships and crews for inspection. Several governments have also signalled plans to tighten maritime enforcement protocols against ships suspected of evading restrictions.

Putin’s comments underscore the dual nature of Russia’s Arctic strategy. On one hand, Moscow is promoting the Northern Sea Route as a cooperative, lawful, and strategic corridor for partners like India and China.

On the other, it is warning of strong retaliatory measures against Western attempts to undermine Russian shipping. This reflects Russia’s broader effort to balance outreach to Asian partners with defiance against European sanctions, positioning the Arctic as both an opportunity and a contested geopolitical frontier.

ANI