The Russian government has authorised state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India aimed at expanding cooperation in maritime cargo transportation along the Northern Sea Route (NSR). The approval was formalised through an order signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and опубликed on the official legal information portal on July 14.
According to the order, the proposal, initiated by Rosatom and coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other federal bodies, has already been preliminarily discussed with the Indian side. The agreement seeks to establish a framework for collaboration between the two governments to develop cargo movement along the Arctic corridor.
Rosatom has been designated to sign the memorandum on behalf of the Russian government. The corporation currently oversees navigation along the NSR and operates Russia’s fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers, which are critical to maintaining year-round shipping in Arctic waters.
India’s interest in the Northern Sea Route has been steadily growing, driven by its existing imports of Russian oil and gas from terminals in the Yamal Peninsula. These shipments are transported via Arctic routes to Indian ports, positioning the NSR as a strategic link in India’s long-term energy supply chain.
Beyond procurement, New Delhi is looking to play a more active role in the corridor’s development. The country is exploring ways to integrate into NSR logistics rather than relying solely on Russian shipping capabilities. As part of this effort, India is collaborating on the construction of icebreakers at shipyards in Gujarat and investing in the training of personnel equipped to operate in Arctic conditions.
The proposed memorandum is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation in Arctic shipping while opening new avenues for India’s participation in emerging polar trade routes.
