The Dragon in the North: On China’s Arctic Push

China’s self-proclamation as a “near-Arctic state” and its recent deployment of icebreakers near Alaska illustrate its growing Arctic push. In response, the United States has reinforced surveillance and naval reconnaissance through Operation Frontier Sentinel, commissioned the heavy icebreaker USCGC Storis, and coordinated NATO patrols across the northern waters. The Arctic giant, Russia, combines militarization with economic development by reviving Soviet-era bases along the Northern Sea Route and testing advanced weaponry while concurrently seeking investors for Arctic energy resources.

The deepening Sino-Russian partnership, from joint air patrols to energy cooperation, has prompted Washington to recalibrate its Arctic posture. India, a key player in Arctic affairs, has maintained strategic autonomy. It prioritises research and sustainability, even as it expands energy and shipping links with Russia and pursues a guarded rapprochement with Beijing. This issue brief examines the evolving dynamics of this volatile frontier, focusing on China’s operational man oeuvres and their geopolitical implications for the Arctic region.