Denmark assumed the rotating chairship (2025-2027) of the Arctic Council from Norway (2023-2025) during the 14th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on May 12, 2025, in Tromsø, Norway, marking a milestone in Arctic governance. ^[1] Greenland’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt is the new chair—a historic first that underscores Greenland’s assuming a greater role than Denmark in Arctic engagement. ^[2]

Motzfeldt emphasised Greenland's commitment to independence while maintaining cooperative ties with the U.S., stating, “I think that we have been very clear in our politics, that we don’t want to be Danes but we don’t want to be Americans, either”. ^[3] This stance comes amid renewed interest from U.S. President Donald Trump in acquiring Greenland, which has been stoutly rejected by both Denmark and Greenland. However, Motzfeldt was clear about the primacy of diplomacy and cooperation in managing the affairs of the Arctic Council. She said that “The Arctic must remain a region where tensions are resolved through diplomacy, where Indigenous rights are protected and where cooperation wins over confrontation. That is more important now than ever,”. ^[4] Acknowledging the challenges facing the Arctic Council she said that “We will cooperate with all member states in the Arctic Council, and we trust that they will also take part”. ^[5]

The meeting was held in a closed, virtual format. Delegations from the eight Arctic States, six Permanent Participant organizations, Working Groups and Observers attended the meeting. While the Heads of Delegation for Norway, Denmark, Inuit Circumpolar Council and the Saami Council attended in person, the rest of the participation was online. ^[6]

Denmark has set five overarching priorities during its chairship: Indigenous Peoples and Communities in the Arctic, Sustainable Economic Development and Energy Transition Solutions, Oceans, Arctic Climate Change and Biodiversity. ^[7] It has also announced to continue supporting ongoing activities of the Council’s Working Groups, as well as some new projects.

The Arctic Council, established in 1996, undergoes a change at the helm every two years, rotating among the eight Arctic States: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. In May 2023, Norway had assumed the chair from Russia for the 2023–2025 period. This transition was particularly significant due to the geopolitical tensions arising from Russia’s special military operations Ukraine in 2022, which had led to a suspension of the Council’s activities. ^[8]

However, to Norway’s credit, it was successful in resuming the work of the Arctic Council’s Working Groups by written procedure in August 2023, followed by the virtual Working Group meetings beginning in February 2024. ^[9]

This was reflected in the statement of Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and outgoing Chair of the Arctic Council, Espen Barth Eide, who spoke about the importance of keeping the Council active. “In a challenging time for Arctic cooperation, I am pleased that the Arctic Council remains united. In today’s geopolitical situation, it is particularly important to maintain a forum for all Arctic States and the Indigenous Peoples in the region,” he said. ^[10]

During its Chairship, Norway’s declared priorities were: The Oceans, Climate and Environment, Sustainable Economic Development and People in the North. Youth and Indigenous Peoples were emphasised as cross-cutting priorities. A table listing the priorities of Norway and Denmark is given below:

During the meeting, the Arctic States and Permanent Participants released a joint declaration known as the Romssa-Tromsø Statement. In it, they reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation in the Arctic region. They also recognised the Arctic Council’s central role as the leading platform for circumpolar collaboration. The statement highlights the essential value of dialogue among all Arctic States and Permanent Participants and underscores the Council’s pre-eminent role as the forum for circumpolar cooperation for nearly three decades. Additionally, it acknowledges both the individual and collective rights of Arctic Indigenous Peoples, emphasising their crucial contribution to the Council and their unique connection to the Arctic. ^[11]

India, an Observer to the Arctic Council since 2013, has deepened its engagement in the Arctic over the past two decades, driven primarily through a science first approach. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), through the National Centre for Polar and Oceanographic Research (NCPOR), leads India’s Arctic engagement, coordinating policy and research efforts in the region. India established its Arctic research base, Himadri, in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in 2008, and has since developed a robust Arctic research program focusing on climate change, atmospheric sciences, space, and glaciology. In 2022, India released its first official Arctic Policy, which outlines a comprehensive framework built on six pillars: science and research, climate and environmental protection, economic and human development, connectivity, governance, and international cooperation.

Although geographically distant from the Arctic, India is significantly affected by changes in the region due to climate teleconnections. The rapid melting of Arctic ice influences global ocean currents and atmospheric circulation patterns, which in turn can disrupt the Indian monsoon system—an essential driver of the country’s agriculture and water supply. A warming Arctic also weakens the polar jet stream, potentially leading to erratic monsoon patterns and prolonged dry spells in South Asia. Additionally, melting Arctic glaciers contribute to global sea-level rise, posing risks to India’s densely populated coastal cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Beyond climate impacts, India’s interest in the Arctic also stems from strategic and economic considerations. As Arctic Sea routes become more navigable due to ice melt, new possibilities emerge for shorter maritime trade links between Europe and Asia. The region’s vast untapped reserves of oil and gas present further long-term opportunities for addressing India’s energy security. India advocates for sustainable and rules-based governance of the Arctic, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and global climate commitments.

Even though the Arctic has a significant impact on India, as an Observer and without voting rights, India role in the Arctic Council, along with that of other Observers, is limited. However, India has uniformly good bilateral relations with all the eight members of the Arctic Council. Given that the climate change induced global warming in the Arctic affects the entire planet, and as the famous adage goes that ‘whatever happens in the Arctic does not remain in the Arctic’, it is time that the Arctic Council is made more participative and inclusive.

India’s engagement, even though as an Observer, adds a unique Global South perspective to Arctic governance. Towards that, India, as a voice of the Global South should proactively work with Arctic states to strengthen their representation in the Arctic Council. India should also work with the Arctic states and other Arctic Observers, including China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, towards reforming the Arctic Council to push for inclusive, multilateral Arctic governance that reflects shared global interests. India could also use its goodwill with the Nordics, the US and Russia, to resume the presently stalled cooperation in the Arctic.

As Denmark (with Greenland at the forefront) takes on the Arctic Council chairship, the road ahead is marked by both opportunity and uncertainty. The Council's 30th anniversary in 2026 offers a moment for reflection and renewal. Whether Denmark can navigate the diplomatic freeze and advance inclusive Arctic governance remains a defining challenge of its term.

References

^[1] The 14th Meeting of the Arctic Council, https://arctic-council.org/news/14th-meeting-of-the-arctic-council/
^[2] Denmark’s representation in the Arctic Council includes Denmark proper, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. All three parts participate in Arctic Council activities as part of the Danish delegation, but Greenland and the Faroe Islands have autonomy in foreign policy matters relevant to their territories and often represent themselves on Arctic issues. Greenland has taken a leading role in Arctic matters, especially under its autonomous government.
^[3] https://apnews.com/article/norway-denmark-arctic-council-greenland-trump-4997d1cf1a64ce57d750257366dd315c, AP News, 12 May 2025
^[4] https://www.arctictoday.com/greenland-assumes-arctic-council-chairmanship-during-challenging-times/ Arctic Today, 12 may 2025
^[5] ibid
^[6] https://arctic-council.org/news/press-release-14th-meeting-arctic-council-joint-romssa-tromso-statement/ 12 May 2025
^[7] ibid
^[8] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/12/norway-arctic-council-leadership-ukraine-trump-greenland?utm_source=chatgpt.com , The Guardian
^[9] https://arctic-council.org/news/press-release-14th-meeting-arctic-council-joint-romssa-tromso-statement/ ,12 May 2025
^[10] https://www.arctictoday.com/greenland-assumes-arctic-council-chairmanship-during-challenging-times/ , Arctic Today, 12 may 2025
^[11] ibid
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