Greenland is emerging as a significant player in the rare earth minerals market, with notable deposits located at Disco Island, the Noswak Peninsula, and the Tanbreez mine, which reportedly contains over half of the world's rare earth resources, including 19 million tons of rare earth oxides.

The Guanast region in southern Greenland holds the world's second-largest reserves of rare earths and uranium, accounting for 10% of global rare earth production.

Extracting rare earths in Greenland presents challenges, including the need for specialized separation factories, which currently exist only in Russia and China, though plans for similar facilities in the U.S. and Europe are underway.

Mining rare earths is environmentally taxing due to the chemical-intensive processes required for refining, which involve the use of acidic substances.

Several corporations, including Kobold Metals and Bluejay Mining, are actively exploring Greenland’s mineral wealth, with financial backing from billionaires such as Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.

China has also shown interest in Greenland’s rare earths through its Belt and Road Initiative, with Shenghe Resources acquiring a significant stake in Greenland Minerals.

The European Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with Greenland to develop sustainable raw material value chains, recognizing the strategic importance of Greenland’s 25 critical raw materials.

Despite these opportunities, Greenland’s government has taken a cautious stance, banning uranium mining and halting rare earth development in southern regions due to environmental concerns.

The pro-environment Inuit Ataqatigiit party, led by Prime Minister Mute Egede, has opposed major projects like the Guanast Rare Earth Mine, emphasizing environmental preservation over economic exploitation.

Tanbreez Mining has obtained government approval to begin rare earth production in Greenland by 2024, signaling a potential shift in the country’s approach to mineral extraction.

Greenland is emerging as a significant player in the rare earth minerals market, with notable deposits located at Disco Island, the Noswak Peninsula, and the Tanbreez mine, which reportedly contains over half of the world's rare earth resources, including 19 million tons of rare earth oxides.

Title:

Content: Greenland to mine rare earths in 2024 | Economic Horizontal | DW | 30.07.2023
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Greenland to mine rare earths in 2024
According to the German "Economic Weekly" reported that a mining company has obtained permission from the Greenland government to mine rare earths on the island.
The company said production could begin next year.
Tanbreez Mining, a mining company, plans to mine rare earths in Greenland next year, according to the Economic Weekly.
“We can start production next year, ” said Greg Barnes, a geologist and owner of the company. Greenland ’ s deputy minister for minerals confirmed to the journal that a mining licence had been issued.
Barnes said the Tanbreez mine "contains more than half of the world's rare earth resources" and has 19 million tons of rare earth oxides.
Of these, 30% are highly favored heavy rare earth elements.
Rare earth contains a total of 17 kinds of metal elements, the properties of each metal are different.
Each metal has a unique industrial value.
Some of them are irreplaceable.
They are used, for example, in the manufacture of electric vehicles or wind turbines.
Last year, about two-thirds of Germany ’ s rare earths came from China. Mining such as rare earths is difficult and often harmful to the environment, as rare earths are often associated with iron ore, and the chemical process of refining often requires the use of acidic substances.
What is Rare Earth?
Barnes, owner of Tanbreez Mining, told Economic Weekly that to start mining for rare earths in Greenland, a factory would be needed to separate rare earths from heterosexual rocks.
Currently there are only such factories in Russia and China.
But one such plant will be built in the United States in the coming months.
There are also plans to build a factory in Europe.
Thanks to technological advances, the equipment that separates rare earths currently costs only $40 million.
According to Barnes, China paid 1.7 billion U.S. dollars for the equipment 13 years ago.
In January, Swedish state-owned mining company LKAB announced the discovery of Europe ’ s largest rare earth deposit to date.
But the company said it would take 10-15 years for the rare earth mine, located in Kiruna in northern Sweden, to be available to the market.
EU Plans to Diversify Rare Earth Supply Chain
(Agence France-Presse, Economic Weekly)
© 2023 Deutsche Welle Copyright Notice: All content in this article is protected by copyright law and may not be used without special permission from Deutsche Welle.
Any misconduct will lead to recovery and criminal prosecution.
DW.COM

What does Greenland's Tanbreez mine contain?

over half of rare earth resources
19 million tons of rare earth oxides

The Guanast region in southern Greenland holds the world's second-largest reserves of rare earths and uranium, accounting for 10% of global rare earth production.

Title:

Content: Greenland ban on uranium mining prevents Chinese companies from expanding rare earths
November 13, 2021 17: 33
Eastern Network Television
More News Clips
As part of its Arctic strategy, China has supported the mining of rare earths in Greenland by Australia ’ s Greenland Minerals, a Chinese-owned subsidiary of Shenghe Resources, through the Belt and Road Initiative.
However, Greenland ’ s parliament passed a new law banning uranium mining and halting the development of rare earth deposits at Kuannersuit, the southern tip of Greenland.
China's rare earth mining accounts for more than 70% of the global mining volume, and China's rare earth magnetic processing volume accounts for 90% of the global processing volume.
Sungho Resources, one of the world ’ s largest producers of rare earth materials, acquired a 12.5% stake in Greenland Minerals in 2016, making it the largest shareholder in the latter.
Guanast in southern Greenland is home to the world ’ s second-largest reserves of rare earths and uranium after China, accounting for 10% of the world ’ s rare earth production.
Since former US President Donald Trump proposed the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, the rich rare earth resources of Guanaster in southern Greenland have attracted attention.
Greenland ’ s local parliament was elected early on April 6. In the end, the pro-environmental left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit party won the election, and its leader, Mute Egede, became the new prime minister.
He declared that he would do everything in his power to stop the Guanast Rare Earth Mine project.
In response, Greenland ’ s parliament has passed a new bill aimed at banning exploration of uranium deposits, as well as other radioactive deposits such as thorium, and halting the development of rare earth deposits at the southern tip of Greenland.

Extracting rare earths in Greenland presents challenges, including the need for specialized separation factories, which currently exist only in Russia and China, though plans for similar facilities in the U.S. and Europe are underway.

Mining rare earths is environmentally taxing due to the chemical-intensive processes required for refining, which involve the use of acidic substances.

Several corporations, including Kobold Metals and Bluejay Mining, are actively exploring Greenland’s mineral wealth, with financial backing from billionaires such as Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.

Title:

Content: Advertisement
Economics.
A race between financiers around the world to search for this substance in Greenland.
Interesting details!
10-08-2022 | 00: 49
A-
A +
photos 0
A +
A-
CNN reports that some of the world ’ s wealthiest people are funding large treasure hunts using helicopters and signal transmitters on Greenland ’ s west coast.
The climate crisis is causing Greenland ’ s ice to melt at unprecedented rates, ironically creating an opportunity for investors and mining companies looking for a treasure trove of important minerals capable of powering clean energy transitions.
Advertisement
Search for minerals in Greenland
Many billionaires, including Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates, are betting that what lies beneath the surface of the hills and valleys of Disco Island and Greenland ’ s Noswak Peninsula are important enough minerals to power millions of electric vehicles.
Speaking to CNN, Kobold Metals CEO Kurt House said: “We are looking for a deposition that will be the largest or second largest nickel and cobalt deposition in the world. ”
The disappearance of Arctic ice – both on land and in the ocean – highlights a unique dichotomy: Greenland is the zero point for the effects of climate change, but it could also be the zero point for the search for the minerals needed to provide solutions to this crisis.
For their part, representatives of Kobold Metals, a California-based mineral exploration company, said the billionaires ’ club is supporting the company financially.
Bezos, Gates and Bloomberg did not respond to requests from CNN for comment on the news, and Kobold Metals is partnering with Bluejay Mining to find precious and rare metals in Greenland, which are essential for building the electric vehicles and huge batteries needed to store renewable energy.
The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said Greenland could be a hot spot for coal, copper, gold, rare earth elements and zinc.
The Greenland government has conducted several assessments on ice-free land and is aware of the country ’ s “ability to diversify the national economy through mineral extraction, ” the agency said.
(Arabic Post)
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China has also shown interest in Greenland’s rare earths through its Belt and Road Initiative, with Shenghe Resources acquiring a significant stake in Greenland Minerals.

What countries are invested in Greenland Minerals corp?

Which company has become the largest sharesholder in Greenland Minerals?

The European Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with Greenland to develop sustainable raw material value chains, recognizing the strategic importance of Greenland’s 25 critical raw materials.

Title:

Content: Friday 01 December 2023
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
Abdurrahim Ali
Editor-in-Chief
Dalia Abdul Rahim
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editorial Board
Abdurrahim Ali
Editor-in-Chief
Dalia Abdul Rahim
The world.
EU and Greenland sign strategic partnership on raw material value chains
Follow the latest news through the app
The European Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Greenland in Brussels to establish a strategic partnership to develop sustainable raw material value chains.
Greenland ’ s vast natural wealth is a key asset for reaping the benefits of global value chains, as it seeks to diversify its economy in a sustainable way, while 25 of the 34 critical raw materials identified by the Commission as strategically important for European industry and green transformation can be found in Greenland.
The Executive Vice President of the European Green Deal, Enterprise Relations and Foresight of the European Commission, Maros Sivčović, signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Greenland represented by the Minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality, Naga Nathanelsen.
The signing of the MoU will contribute to the development of sustainable projects along the raw materials value chains and the deployment of the necessary infrastructure for their development.
The MoU provides for close cooperation between Greenland and the EU in five important areas; among which is the development of economic and industrial integration of the value chains of vital raw materials and other raw materials.
This includes networking, joint project development, creating and promoting new business models, attracting investments, supporting access to finance, facilitating business linkages, developing and integrating support for economic diversification and ensuring the smooth functioning and resilience of value chains.
Foster collaboration to leverage high environmental, social and international governance (ESG) standards, to ensure that Greenland ’ s mineral sector serves as a lever for sustainable and inclusive economic growth while creating local and local value.
This includes the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources in close dialogue with the Greenland community of individuals, organisations, institutions and other stakeholders, taking fully into account the unique nature of Greenland ’ s pristine lands and applying high environmental, social and governance standards set out in legislation, conventions, guidelines and best practices.
Deploy the infrastructure needed to develop raw material value chains.
This includes taking into account the specificities of Greenland's transport and energy infrastructure needs, taking into account Arctic or sub-Arctic conditions, and supporting the mobilization of funding for such infrastructure.
Capacity building and skills development along raw material value chains.
This includes developing skills at all levels in the raw materials industry and wider society.
Greenland is eligible to participate in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and provides Earth observation data thanks to the European Copernicus Satellite Programme which offers promising opportunities related to mineral exploration, sediment mapping and mining monitoring including waste management and environmental impact monitoring.
according to the statement.

Despite these opportunities, Greenland’s government has taken a cautious stance, banning uranium mining and halting rare earth development in southern regions due to environmental concerns.

What has Greenland's new prime minister Mute Egede pledged to do regarding Kuannersuit rare earth mining?

The pro-environment Inuit Ataqatigiit party, led by Prime Minister Mute Egede, has opposed major projects like the Guanast Rare Earth Mine, emphasizing environmental preservation over economic exploitation.

What has Greenland's new prime minister Mute Egede pledged to do regarding Kuannersuit rare earth mining?

Tanbreez Mining has obtained government approval to begin rare earth production in Greenland by 2024, signaling a potential shift in the country’s approach to mineral extraction.

What company has obtained permission to extract Greenland's rare earths?


Greenland is emerging as a significant player in the global rare earth minerals market, with its vast reserves attracting attention from investors, corporations, and governments worldwide.

Disco Island and the Noswak Peninsula in Greenland are believed to contain substantial deposits of minerals critical for powering electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies.

The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland has identified Greenland as a potential hotspot for rare earth elements, alongside other valuable resources such as coal, copper, gold, and zinc.

The Tanbreez mine in Greenland is reported to hold over half of the world's rare earth resources, with an estimated 19 million tons of rare earth oxides.

Approximately 30% of the rare earth oxides in the Tanbreez mine are heavy rare earth elements, which are highly sought after for their specialized industrial applications.

Guanast, located in southern Greenland, is home to the world's second-largest reserves of rare earths and uranium, accounting for 10% of global rare earth production.

Despite the potential economic benefits, mining rare earths in Greenland presents significant challenges, including the environmentally harmful chemical processes required for refining these minerals.

The extraction of rare earths in Greenland necessitates the construction of specialized factories to separate the minerals from associated rocks, a capability currently limited to facilities in Russia and China.

Plans are underway to build rare earth separation plants in the United States and Europe, which could reduce reliance on existing facilities in Russia and China.

Technological advancements have significantly reduced the cost of rare earth separation equipment, from $1.7 billion thirteen years ago to approximately $40 million today.

Greenland's west coast has become a focal point for exploration, with some of the world's wealthiest individuals employing advanced technologies to locate rare earth minerals.

Kobold Metals, a California-based mineral exploration company, is financially backed by billionaires such as Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg, and Bill Gates.

In partnership with Bluejay Mining, Kobold Metals is actively working to locate rare and precious metals in Greenland for use in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage batteries.

China has also shown interest in Greenland's rare earth resources, supporting mining efforts through Australia’s Greenland Minerals, a subsidiary of Shenghe Resources, under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Shenghe Resources, one of the world’s largest producers of rare earth materials, acquired a 12.5% stake in Greenland Minerals in 2016, becoming its largest shareholder.

The European Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with Greenland to establish a strategic partnership aimed at developing sustainable raw material value chains.

Greenland possesses 25 of the 34 critical raw materials identified by the European Commission as essential for European industry and the green energy transition.

The EU-Greenland partnership aims to ensure that Greenland's mineral sector supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth while adhering to high environmental, social, and governance standards.

The agreement includes provisions for developing infrastructure tailored to Greenland's Arctic and sub-Arctic conditions to support raw material value chains.

Greenland is eligible to participate in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, which offers opportunities for mineral exploration and environmental impact monitoring.

The Greenland government has conducted assessments of its ice-free land and recognizes the potential to diversify its economy through mineral extraction.

However, Greenland's parliament has passed legislation banning uranium mining, effectively halting the development of rare earth deposits at Kuannersuit in southern Greenland.

The pro-environmental Inuit Ataqatigiit party, led by Prime Minister Mute Egede, has opposed the Guanast Rare Earth Mine project and pledged to stop its development.

Greenland’s parliament has also passed a bill banning the exploration of uranium and other radioactive deposits, further limiting rare earth development in the southern region.

The melting of Greenland's ice due to climate change is creating new opportunities for investors and mining companies to access minerals critical for the clean energy transition.

Rare earth elements are indispensable for industries such as electric vehicle manufacturing and wind turbine production, with some elements being irreplaceable in their applications.

A mining company, Tanbreez Mining, has received permission from the Greenland government to mine rare earths, with production expected to commence in 2024.

Greenland is emerging as a significant player in the global rare earth minerals market, with its vast reserves attracting attention from investors, corporations, and governments worldwide.

Title:

Content: Advertisement
Economics.
A race between financiers around the world to search for this substance in Greenland.
Interesting details!
10-08-2022 | 00: 49
A-
A +
photos 0
A +
A-
CNN reports that some of the world ’ s wealthiest people are funding large treasure hunts using helicopters and signal transmitters on Greenland ’ s west coast.
The climate crisis is causing Greenland ’ s ice to melt at unprecedented rates, ironically creating an opportunity for investors and mining companies looking for a treasure trove of important minerals capable of powering clean energy transitions.
Advertisement
Search for minerals in Greenland
Many billionaires, including Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates, are betting that what lies beneath the surface of the hills and valleys of Disco Island and Greenland ’ s Noswak Peninsula are important enough minerals to power millions of electric vehicles.
Speaking to CNN, Kobold Metals CEO Kurt House said: “We are looking for a deposition that will be the largest or second largest nickel and cobalt deposition in the world. ”
The disappearance of Arctic ice – both on land and in the ocean – highlights a unique dichotomy: Greenland is the zero point for the effects of climate change, but it could also be the zero point for the search for the minerals needed to provide solutions to this crisis.
For their part, representatives of Kobold Metals, a California-based mineral exploration company, said the billionaires ’ club is supporting the company financially.
Bezos, Gates and Bloomberg did not respond to requests from CNN for comment on the news, and Kobold Metals is partnering with Bluejay Mining to find precious and rare metals in Greenland, which are essential for building the electric vehicles and huge batteries needed to store renewable energy.
The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said Greenland could be a hot spot for coal, copper, gold, rare earth elements and zinc.
The Greenland government has conducted several assessments on ice-free land and is aware of the country ’ s “ability to diversify the national economy through mineral extraction, ” the agency said.
(Arabic Post)
Go ahead.
Advertisement
Our news via your email
SIGN UP
Softimpact
All rights reserved © Lebanon24
All rights reserved © Lebanon24
Softimpact

What does Greenland's Tanbreez mine contain?

over half of rare earth resources
19 million tons of rare earth oxides

What is one of the global key REE manufacturers?

Disco Island and the Noswak Peninsula in Greenland are believed to contain substantial deposits of minerals critical for powering electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies.

The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland has identified Greenland as a potential hotspot for rare earth elements, alongside other valuable resources such as coal, copper, gold, and zinc.

The Tanbreez mine in Greenland is reported to hold over half of the world's rare earth resources, with an estimated 19 million tons of rare earth oxides.

Title:

Content: Greenland to mine rare earths in 2024 | Economic Horizontal | DW | 30.07.2023
1.
Inhalt
2.
Navigation
3.
Weitere Inhalte
4.
Metanavigation
5.
Suche
6.
Choose from 30 Languages
Advertisement
Economic stratification
Greenland to mine rare earths in 2024
According to the German "Economic Weekly" reported that a mining company has obtained permission from the Greenland government to mine rare earths on the island.
The company said production could begin next year.
Tanbreez Mining, a mining company, plans to mine rare earths in Greenland next year, according to the Economic Weekly.
“We can start production next year, ” said Greg Barnes, a geologist and owner of the company. Greenland ’ s deputy minister for minerals confirmed to the journal that a mining licence had been issued.
Barnes said the Tanbreez mine "contains more than half of the world's rare earth resources" and has 19 million tons of rare earth oxides.
Of these, 30% are highly favored heavy rare earth elements.
Rare earth contains a total of 17 kinds of metal elements, the properties of each metal are different.
Each metal has a unique industrial value.
Some of them are irreplaceable.
They are used, for example, in the manufacture of electric vehicles or wind turbines.
Last year, about two-thirds of Germany ’ s rare earths came from China. Mining such as rare earths is difficult and often harmful to the environment, as rare earths are often associated with iron ore, and the chemical process of refining often requires the use of acidic substances.
What is Rare Earth?
Barnes, owner of Tanbreez Mining, told Economic Weekly that to start mining for rare earths in Greenland, a factory would be needed to separate rare earths from heterosexual rocks.
Currently there are only such factories in Russia and China.
But one such plant will be built in the United States in the coming months.
There are also plans to build a factory in Europe.
Thanks to technological advances, the equipment that separates rare earths currently costs only $40 million.
According to Barnes, China paid 1.7 billion U.S. dollars for the equipment 13 years ago.
In January, Swedish state-owned mining company LKAB announced the discovery of Europe ’ s largest rare earth deposit to date.
But the company said it would take 10-15 years for the rare earth mine, located in Kiruna in northern Sweden, to be available to the market.
EU Plans to Diversify Rare Earth Supply Chain
(Agence France-Presse, Economic Weekly)
© 2023 Deutsche Welle Copyright Notice: All content in this article is protected by copyright law and may not be used without special permission from Deutsche Welle.
Any misconduct will lead to recovery and criminal prosecution.
DW.COM

What does Greenland's Tanbreez mine contain?

over half of rare earth resources
19 million tons of rare earth oxides

Approximately 30% of the rare earth oxides in the Tanbreez mine are heavy rare earth elements, which are highly sought after for their specialized industrial applications.

What does Greenland's Tanbreez mine contain?

30% of oxides are highly sought after heavy rare earth metals

Guanast, located in southern Greenland, is home to the world's second-largest reserves of rare earths and uranium, accounting for 10% of global rare earth production.

Title:

Content: Greenland ban on uranium mining prevents Chinese companies from expanding rare earths
November 13, 2021 17: 33
Eastern Network Television
More News Clips
As part of its Arctic strategy, China has supported the mining of rare earths in Greenland by Australia ’ s Greenland Minerals, a Chinese-owned subsidiary of Shenghe Resources, through the Belt and Road Initiative.
However, Greenland ’ s parliament passed a new law banning uranium mining and halting the development of rare earth deposits at Kuannersuit, the southern tip of Greenland.
China's rare earth mining accounts for more than 70% of the global mining volume, and China's rare earth magnetic processing volume accounts for 90% of the global processing volume.
Sungho Resources, one of the world ’ s largest producers of rare earth materials, acquired a 12.5% stake in Greenland Minerals in 2016, making it the largest shareholder in the latter.
Guanast in southern Greenland is home to the world ’ s second-largest reserves of rare earths and uranium after China, accounting for 10% of the world ’ s rare earth production.
Since former US President Donald Trump proposed the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, the rich rare earth resources of Guanaster in southern Greenland have attracted attention.
Greenland ’ s local parliament was elected early on April 6. In the end, the pro-environmental left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit party won the election, and its leader, Mute Egede, became the new prime minister.
He declared that he would do everything in his power to stop the Guanast Rare Earth Mine project.
In response, Greenland ’ s parliament has passed a new bill aimed at banning exploration of uranium deposits, as well as other radioactive deposits such as thorium, and halting the development of rare earth deposits at the southern tip of Greenland.

Despite the potential economic benefits, mining rare earths in Greenland presents significant challenges, including the environmentally harmful chemical processes required for refining these minerals.

The extraction of rare earths in Greenland necessitates the construction of specialized factories to separate the minerals from associated rocks, a capability currently limited to facilities in Russia and China.

Plans are underway to build rare earth separation plants in the United States and Europe, which could reduce reliance on existing facilities in Russia and China.

Technological advancements have significantly reduced the cost of rare earth separation equipment, from $1.7 billion thirteen years ago to approximately $40 million today.

How much will it cost to build a facility to separate and extract rare earth minerals?

Greenland's west coast has become a focal point for exploration, with some of the world's wealthiest individuals employing advanced technologies to locate rare earth minerals.

Kobold Metals, a California-based mineral exploration company, is financially backed by billionaires such as Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg, and Bill Gates.

In partnership with Bluejay Mining, Kobold Metals is actively working to locate rare and precious metals in Greenland for use in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage batteries.

China has also shown interest in Greenland's rare earth resources, supporting mining efforts through Australia’s Greenland Minerals, a subsidiary of Shenghe Resources, under the Belt and Road Initiative.

What countries are invested in Greenland Minerals corp?

What is one of the global key REE manufacturers?

Which company has become the largest sharesholder in Greenland Minerals?

Shenghe Resources, one of the world’s largest producers of rare earth materials, acquired a 12.5% stake in Greenland Minerals in 2016, becoming its largest shareholder.

What countries are invested in Greenland Minerals corp?

Which company has become the largest sharesholder in Greenland Minerals?

The European Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with Greenland to establish a strategic partnership aimed at developing sustainable raw material value chains.

Title:

Content: Friday 01 December 2023
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
Abdurrahim Ali
Editor-in-Chief
Dalia Abdul Rahim
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editorial Board
Abdurrahim Ali
Editor-in-Chief
Dalia Abdul Rahim
The world.
EU and Greenland sign strategic partnership on raw material value chains
Follow the latest news through the app
The European Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Greenland in Brussels to establish a strategic partnership to develop sustainable raw material value chains.
Greenland ’ s vast natural wealth is a key asset for reaping the benefits of global value chains, as it seeks to diversify its economy in a sustainable way, while 25 of the 34 critical raw materials identified by the Commission as strategically important for European industry and green transformation can be found in Greenland.
The Executive Vice President of the European Green Deal, Enterprise Relations and Foresight of the European Commission, Maros Sivčović, signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Greenland represented by the Minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality, Naga Nathanelsen.
The signing of the MoU will contribute to the development of sustainable projects along the raw materials value chains and the deployment of the necessary infrastructure for their development.
The MoU provides for close cooperation between Greenland and the EU in five important areas; among which is the development of economic and industrial integration of the value chains of vital raw materials and other raw materials.
This includes networking, joint project development, creating and promoting new business models, attracting investments, supporting access to finance, facilitating business linkages, developing and integrating support for economic diversification and ensuring the smooth functioning and resilience of value chains.
Foster collaboration to leverage high environmental, social and international governance (ESG) standards, to ensure that Greenland ’ s mineral sector serves as a lever for sustainable and inclusive economic growth while creating local and local value.
This includes the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources in close dialogue with the Greenland community of individuals, organisations, institutions and other stakeholders, taking fully into account the unique nature of Greenland ’ s pristine lands and applying high environmental, social and governance standards set out in legislation, conventions, guidelines and best practices.
Deploy the infrastructure needed to develop raw material value chains.
This includes taking into account the specificities of Greenland's transport and energy infrastructure needs, taking into account Arctic or sub-Arctic conditions, and supporting the mobilization of funding for such infrastructure.
Capacity building and skills development along raw material value chains.
This includes developing skills at all levels in the raw materials industry and wider society.
Greenland is eligible to participate in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and provides Earth observation data thanks to the European Copernicus Satellite Programme which offers promising opportunities related to mineral exploration, sediment mapping and mining monitoring including waste management and environmental impact monitoring.
according to the statement.

Greenland possesses 25 of the 34 critical raw materials identified by the European Commission as essential for European industry and the green energy transition.

The EU-Greenland partnership aims to ensure that Greenland's mineral sector supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth while adhering to high environmental, social, and governance standards.

The agreement includes provisions for developing infrastructure tailored to Greenland's Arctic and sub-Arctic conditions to support raw material value chains.

Greenland is eligible to participate in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, which offers opportunities for mineral exploration and environmental impact monitoring.

Why AEX consider Greenland a favorable mining location?

The Greenland government has conducted assessments of its ice-free land and recognizes the potential to diversify its economy through mineral extraction.

However, Greenland's parliament has passed legislation banning uranium mining, effectively halting the development of rare earth deposits at Kuannersuit in southern Greenland.

What has Greenland done to undermine Chinese efforts to establish a foothold in the Arctic region?

What has Greenland's new prime minister Mute Egede pledged to do regarding Kuannersuit rare earth mining?

Which Greenland rare earth deposits has its Parliament prohibited from developing?

The pro-environmental Inuit Ataqatigiit party, led by Prime Minister Mute Egede, has opposed the Guanast Rare Earth Mine project and pledged to stop its development.

What has Greenland done to undermine Chinese efforts to establish a foothold in the Arctic region?

What has Greenland's new prime minister Mute Egede pledged to do regarding Kuannersuit rare earth mining?

Greenland’s parliament has also passed a bill banning the exploration of uranium and other radioactive deposits, further limiting rare earth development in the southern region.

The melting of Greenland's ice due to climate change is creating new opportunities for investors and mining companies to access minerals critical for the clean energy transition.

Rare earth elements are indispensable for industries such as electric vehicle manufacturing and wind turbine production, with some elements being irreplaceable in their applications.

A mining company, Tanbreez Mining, has received permission from the Greenland government to mine rare earths, with production expected to commence in 2024.

What company has obtained permission to extract Greenland's rare earths?


Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Putin, India and Russia have maintained robust defense ties, with India sourcing approximately 60% of its military equipment from Russia, including Sukhoi fighter jets and tanks.

The two nations have expanded their defense cooperation through agreements such as the S-400 missile system deal, which enhances India’s airspace defense capabilities and is strategically deployed to counter China.

Despite challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including delays in military supplies, Russia has continued to support India’s defense needs, showcasing the resilience of their partnership.

Strategic dialogues, such as the annual summits and the '2+2' ministerial meetings, have reinforced the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, focusing on defense, trade, and energy.

Economic ties have deepened, with India becoming a major buyer of Russian oil and both nations exploring connectivity projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor to boost trade.

However, India’s growing alignment with the United States, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, and Russia’s closer ties with China have introduced complexities in their bilateral relationship.

India leverages its historical ties with Russia to counterbalance China’s influence in Eurasia, while also addressing its strained relations with China following the 2020 border clashes.

Russia’s deepening relationship with China, described as being in its 'best period in history,' complicates India’s efforts to maintain a balanced regional strategy.

India’s policy of strategic autonomy, respected by Russia, allows it to navigate these geopolitical shifts while pursuing its national interests, including discounted oil purchases from Moscow.

Overall, the Modi-Putin era has seen India and Russia adapt their partnership to evolving global dynamics, balancing traditional ties with emerging strategic imperatives.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Putin, India and Russia have maintained robust defense ties, with India sourcing approximately 60% of its military equipment from Russia, including Sukhoi fighter jets and tanks.

Title:

Content: Day 2: India forges ahead: Strengthening Defence Ties Amidst Challenges with Russian-Origin Equipment

The Working Group Meeting between India and Russia aims to foster stronger defence ties between the two countries.

Amidst ongoing challenges with Russian-origin defence equipment, India is actively working on enhancing its military cooperation with key nations. As part of this effort, the third Meeting of the Indian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) is going on in New Delhi. On day one of the two day the meeting, chaired by Lt Gen Johnson P Mathew from the Indian side and Lt Gen Dylevskii Igor Nikolaevich from the Russian side, focused on addressing issues related to spare parts and maintenance of the Russian equipment utilized by the Indian armed forces.

The Working Group Meeting between India and Russia aims to foster stronger defence ties between the two countries. This strategic dialogue assumes added significance with India’s increasing dependence on Russian defence equipment, ranging from Sukhoi fighter jets to tanks and naval assets. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has impacted military supplies to India, raising concerns over payment mechanisms and delays in deliveries. However, the Russian defence industry’s resilience and focus on production of various defence items have shown positive signs, ensuring continued support to India’s armed forces.

In the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis. Despite the challenges, India has strengthened its trade ties with Moscow and remains committed to enhancing defence cooperation. To achieve this goal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undertaken two successful visits to prominent nations, the United States and France, where key defence deals were announced.

The meeting is taking place close on the heels of the recently concluded visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US and France. During his visit to the United States, PM Modi reaffirmed the strategic partnership between India and the US. Both nations inked significant defence deals aimed at bolstering India’s defence capabilities and strengthening military ties. Similarly, in Paris PM Modi engaged in fruitful discussions, resulting in important defence agreements that will pave the way for enhanced cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.

India’s commitment to bolstering its defence capabilities and cooperation remains unwavering, even amidst challenges with Russian-origin equipment. The recent Working Group Meeting with Russia reflects the nation’s determination to find solutions collaboratively.

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First published on: 19-07-2023 at 11:02 IST
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How has trade level between India and Russia changed under Modi and Putin?

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

The two nations have expanded their defense cooperation through agreements such as the S-400 missile system deal, which enhances India’s airspace defense capabilities and is strategically deployed to counter China.

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Content: The purchase of "Russian-made missiles" is threatened by US sanctions: India decides its own weapons procurement
India will purchase the Russian S-400 missile system, which could be subject to U.S. sanctions.
(Photo / Reuters)
Central News Agency reporter Lin Xingjian New Delhi 3 days special telegram
At a time when India may face U.S. sanctions for purchasing S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia, India ’ s Ministry of Defense stressed on Wednesday that the government can make its own decisions on weapons purchases based on security needs.
In a written response to a question from a member of the House of Commons, Deputy Defence Minister Ajay Bhatt said the Indian government had signed a contract with Russia on October 5, 2018 for the procurement of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, and the government was “well aware of the impact that external circumstances may have on the procurement of defence equipment. ”
“The government makes sovereign decisions based on threat perception, operational and technical aspects to ensure that the three services are in a state of readiness to meet various security challenges, ” the written reply stressed.
Delivery of the weapons is in accordance with the contract schedule, "the spokesman said.
Barth said the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system would provide India with a sustained and effective air defense capability over a wide range.
The written reply did not name any countries, nor did it mention that this was in response to the Member ’ s question.
But Russia began delivering S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to India in early November, when international media reported that India could be sanctioned by the United States for purchasing weapons from Russia.
Indian media reported that the S-400 is the third generation surface-to-air missile system produced by Russia and has almost full airspace defense capabilities against a variety of air targets, including drones, missiles, rockets and fighters.
The report said that China had deployed S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems on the border in the dispute between China and India, which caused great pressure on the Indian Air Force, so India will also set up the newly purchased S-400 anti-aircraft missile system in the border area in response to China's threat.
India has a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with the United States and is also a "special strategic partner" of Russia; Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit New Delhi on December 6 and hold the 21st India-Russia summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India has maintained close military relations with the Soviet Union since the beginning of the Cold War.
According to the website of the Russian Embassy in India, 60% of the military equipment and technology purchased by India comes from Russia.
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In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

Despite challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including delays in military supplies, Russia has continued to support India’s defense needs, showcasing the resilience of their partnership.

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

Strategic dialogues, such as the annual summits and the '2+2' ministerial meetings, have reinforced the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, focusing on defense, trade, and energy.

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  4. India, Russia looking at holding '2+2' dialogue alongside Modi-Putin summit

India, Russia looking at holding '2+2' dialogue alongside Modi-Putin summit

The pact will allow militaries of the two countries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, besides facilitating scaling up of overall defense cooperation.

PTI
New Delhi Published on: November 17, 2021 23:36 IST

The first edition of India-Russia '2+2' defense and foreign ministerial dialogue may be held alongside a summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin that is likely to take place on December 6, people familiar with the developments said on Wednesday. The two sides are looking at holding the '2+2' dialogue around the time of the summit primarily due to scheduling issues, they said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are scheduled to hold the dialogue with their Russian counterparts Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Shoygu.

Jaishankar and Singh were to travel to Moscow in the last week of November but the plan is being amended primarily due to the Winter session of Parliament that is scheduled from November 29.

The two ministers were also likely to travel to Washington for the India-US '2+2' dialogue with US Secretay of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin later this month or early December.

But, the people cited above said the talks are now likely to be pushed to January. Putin is likely to visit India for the bilateral summit with Modi on December 6. The summit is expected to produce specific outcomes in further expanding ties in areas of defense, trade, and energy.

It is learned that the two sides are going to firm up a number of agreements in the areas of defense, trade and investment, and science and technology at the summit.

A framework for military-technical cooperation is set to be renewed for the next decade at the summit besides announcing a joint commission on technology and science. India and Russia have also reached the final phase of negotiation for a logistics support agreement and it is likely to be signed either during the two-plus-two talks or at the summit.

The pact will allow militaries of the two countries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, besides facilitating scaling up of overall defense cooperation. The unfolding humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and implications of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul for regional security are also expected to figure prominently at the summit.

The summit was postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the countries have a mechanism under which India's prime minister and the Russian president hold a summit meeting annually to review the entire gamut of ties.

So far 20 Annual Summit meetings have taken place alternatively in India and Russia. Russia has been a time-tested partner for India and a key pillar of New Delhi's foreign policy.

Also Read: India starts receiving 'game changer' S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia

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In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

What formal frameworks do India and Russia cooperate within?

Economic ties have deepened, with India becoming a major buyer of Russian oil and both nations exploring connectivity projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor to boost trade.

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Content: 31 Dec, 2023 08:46

Deeper than diplomacy: There is a reason why New Delhi and Moscow rely on each other

Russia’s respect for India’s policy of strategic autonomy is the core strength of bilateral ties, as the Indian foreign minister’s latest visit proves

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s five-day official visit to Russia was timely and significant for more than one reason.

India and Russia had held annual summits at the leadership level since 2000. This sent an important message in terms of the value attached by the two countries to bilateral ties, but it also conveyed a broader geopolitical message to other international partners of the two countries.

But this practice was broken largely because of Russia’s pre-occupation with the Ukraine conflict and its fallout. The last annual summit took place in 2021.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin could have held a summit on the margins of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in South Africa or the G20 summit in New Delhi, but Putin did not attend either. While Jaishankar’s visit does not substitute for a summit meeting, it was intended to fill a political gap.

Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have met six times during the year, and the Indian external affairs minister also met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov during the year on the economic agenda. For Jaishankar to visit Russia before the end of the year, undeterred by the Russian winter and holiday season, reflects the importance both sides attach to the further expansion of ties.

Putin has on several occasions praised the Indian prime minister and positively noted the country’s economic progress. At the ‘Russia Calling’ Forum in early December this year, he said that despite pressure from others, he “cannot imagine that Modi could be frightened, intimidated or forced to take any actions, steps, decisions that would at variance with the national interest of India and the Indian people.” He noted that sometimes he is surprised at Modi’s tough stance on Indian national interests. He added that the policy pursued by Modi is the “main guarantor” of the developing bilateral ties.

This is high and unusual praise by Putin. It can be interpreted on several levels – particularly as an acknowledgement that India has resisted pressure from the US and others to condemn Russia over the Ukraine conflict, impose sanctions, and reduce defense ties with Russia. India has, on the contrary, bought discounted Russian oil to the point that Russia has become its biggest oil supplier. It has argued that ensuring this market flow of Russian oil has helped avoid a major spike in oil prices and checked global inflation. Indian-Russian trade has expanded, while the G7 has broken economic and trade ties with Russia.

India played a major role as G20 president in negotiating the part in the Leaders’ Declaration on the Ukraine conflict despite the hardening of the G7 position and that of Russia and China after the G20 summit in Bali. The final text does not mention Russia by name, while the G7 was satisfied that the general formulations in it could be sold as being directed at Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

Not surprisingly, Putin complimented India for de-politicizing the G20. India chaired the SCO summit in July 2023 and participated in the BRICS summit in South Africa in August 2023. This countered G7 attempts to isolate Russia diplomatically. In fact, the New Delhi SCO Declaration spoke of more effective global institutions, a more representative, just, and multipolar world order based on international law and multilateralism, and criticized the unilateral application of economic sanctions – a clear critique of the Western-dominated global system.

It is against this backdrop that Putin received Jaishankar at the Kremlin, the first time that such a gesture has been made to him personally. The general unavailability of Putin to visiting foreign ministers is well-known.

Jaishankar delivered a personal message from Modi to Putin. During the meeting, Putin invited his “friend Modi” to visit Russia in 2024 and noted that Indian-Russian ties were on the whole developing well. He said that he had been briefing Modi on developments in Ukraine, remarking that he understands the Indian prime minister is willing to do his utmost to resolve the matter by peaceful means. He added that he would give additional information to Jaishankar on Ukraine.

India has continued to strengthen ties with the US, including in the defense domain. It is a member of the Quad and a strong supporter of the Indo-Pacific concept, both of which are intended to deter China’s regional ambitions. Russia has reservations about the Quad and the Indo-Pacific concept, which it sees as the US engaging in bloc politics in Asia.

Putin’s praise for Modi and India and the gesture of receiving Jaishankar takes into consideration these realities of India’s foreign policy which are meant to safeguard the larger national interests. At the core of this is Russia’s respect for India’s policy of strategic autonomy. Jaishankar’s high-profile visit and the vigorous language used to mark the importance of India’s traditional ties with Russia would have caught Washington’s attention.

Jaishankar noted that after talks with Lavrov, “what clearly came out was that India-Russia relations remain very steady, remain very strong, they are based on our strategic convergence, on our geopolitical interests, and because they are mutually beneficial.” The two leaders discussed political cooperation within international organizations such as BRICS, the SCO, etc.

Indian-Russian trade is at an all-time high, exceeding $50 billion last year, and should pass that figure this year. It includes energy, fertilizers, coking coal, and other items, for which long term arrangements were discussed. India intends to expand investments in Russia’s oil and gas sector.

On the nuclear side, two important amendments were agreed to which will take the Kudankulam nuclear power project forward. Mutual investments, progress on a bilateral investment treaty, and the resumption of negotiations between India and the Eurasian Economic Union for a free trade agreement will be resumed in the second half of January 2024.

Moscow and New Delhi will expand cooperation in the Russian Far East. India expects a large representation from this region at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January 2024.

Connectivity between India and Russia will be critical for expanding trade ties – connectivity from western India through the International North-South Transport Corridor, and connectivity from eastern India, from Chennai to Vladivostok, and the polar route. To promote tourism, India is open to increasing the number of flights from India every week.

The talks between Jaishankar and Lavrov were comprehensive. They discussed the global strategic situation, Ukraine, Gaza, the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, Afghanistan, UN-related matters, the challenges facing the Global South, and the building of a multipolar order. China would undoubtedly have been discussed, but diplomatic discretion here would be normal.

In the joint press conference, Lavrov spoke of prospects for more defense cooperation, including joint production of modern weapons under New Delhi’s ‘Make in India’ program, and, importantly, expressed respect for India’s efforts to diversify its defense ties. He noted bilateral cooperation in rocket engine manufacturing and satellite navigation systems.

Jaishankar’s visit was productive in maintaining the momentum of Indian-Russian ties, which have been built over 60 years, a relationship that he believes is not just about politics, diplomacy, or economics, but is much deeper.

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However, India’s growing alignment with the United States, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, and Russia’s closer ties with China have introduced complexities in their bilateral relationship.

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On Monday, PM Modi spoke over the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The phone call reportedly was a follow-up on many of the issues raised during Putin's recent India visit on December 6. According to a statement by the PMO, the two leaders have agreed to remain in regular touch with each other on a range of issues covered under the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Insofar as visits from foreign dignitaries and leaders go, Putin's visit to India earlier this month was arguably the most consequential development for India in the field of foreign affairs for quite some time. India, as may be known, has a long and storied relationship with Russia and its precursor, the Soviet Union. From the earliest days, the friendship between the two nations had a strong strategic undertone with both sides supporting each other on the world stage whenever necessary. Indeed, the Soviet Union was undeniably India's greatest ally in the 20th century against the machinations of the western powers like the US that did not take kindly to India announcing itself to be a 'socialist' nation. From Kashmir to the Bangladesh Liberation War, Russia has stood by India in defence of its strategic interests. As a proof of the relationship, a majority of military equipment India currently possesses was either directly supplied by Moscow or is otherwise of Russian origin. In recent years, with the fall of the Soviet Union and India's move towards liberalising its economy, India has ventured out into the world to make a new set of friends. This time around, it is India and the US that are getting along like a house on fire. India has deliberately sought to widen its field diplomatically and militarily in order to not be tied down to a single nation with the rather pragmatic understanding that there are no permanent relationships in international politics. In more recent times, Russia and India have somewhat drifted further apart as Russia bands together with India's rival China to take on the hegemony of the western world that is held up by the US. While India has no interest in joining the US in its power games against Russia, it is very much interested in leveraging its relationship with the west in its struggle to contain a belligerent China. It is here that India has had to perform a tremendous tight-rope walk, particularly following the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia. On the one hand, you have America that wishes to limit or even extinguish India's strategic relationship with Russia. On the other, you have Russia that is increasingly concerned and agitated by India drawing ever closer to the US's sphere of influence as it joins America in endeavours like the Quad grouping. Of particular concern to both sides is India's continuing dependence on Russia for military equipment. The US, already having sanctioned Turkey for the same, looks on menacingly as it threatens India with sanctions for buying the S-400 missile system. Russia, of course, is not only interested in keeping its old defence ties but even expanding them, as it has been recently teasing India with the possibility of being the first nation in the world to buy the improved S-500 missile system. In this regard, Putin's visit to India could be termed as symbolic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Putin has only ventured out twice from his country, with the second trip being the one to India. His tone and body language during the meeting with PM Modi spoke volumes of the importance he attaches to maintaining the ties with India. Aside from underscoring the good working relationship he has with India's PM, the visit also highlighted that despite the recent turns of history, the two nations still have much to share and collectively work towards. Common concern in regards to the Taliban and Afghanistan is one such area that the two sides are looking to cooperate on in the near future. Another is strengthening existing defence ties between the two nations. Underscoring its strategic independence, India has decided to continue with its defence dealings with Russia, discussing the purchase of the S-400 missile system while also finalising a long-pending Rs 5,000 crore deal for the production of over five lakh AK-203 rifles in a joint Indo-Russian deal. But all said and done, the future of India's relationship with Russia still has some shades of uncertainty. Primary amongst them is the ongoing escalation between Moscow and NATO in regards to Ukraine and eastern Europe. If Russia should choose to brave threats of western sanctions to take action in Ukraine, where does this leave India? Can India still continue its balancing game between east and west at a time when geopolitics are heating up to a boiling point? That remains to be seen.

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What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

India's growing closeness to the U.S.
Russia's growing closeness to China

India leverages its historical ties with Russia to counterbalance China’s influence in Eurasia, while also addressing its strained relations with China following the 2020 border clashes.

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Modi's Russia visit shows India isn't worried about making the US mad

  • In a move likely to anger the US, Modi is visiting Russia.
  • The move signals strong ties between Delhi and Moscow, and shows the world India is pursuing its own agenda.
  • Modi is aiming to correct the trade imbalance and address China's Indo-Pacific activities.
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In a move likely to anger the US, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Russia on Monday for his first bilateral trip after winning a historic third term in office.

Modi's two-day visit to Russia — where he is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin — is significant in that it signals strong ties between Delhi and Moscow. It also shows the world that India is not afraid to pursue its own agenda.

Vinay Kwatra, India's foreign secretary, told reporters in New Delhi that issues between Russia and India have "piled up" and "need to be addressed," per Bloomberg.

Russia's relationship with India goes back to the Cold War, and trade between the two countries has grown since Russia started the war in Ukraine. India is a major buyer of Russian oil. Russia is also India's biggest arms supplier.

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Kwatra underscored that the two countries' trade relationship has remained "resilient."

Still, Modi's trip will "rankle many Western observers," Ved Shinde, a researcher and contributor to Australia's Lowy Institute think tank, wrote in a note on Wednesday.

"Since the Ukraine war began, India's purchase of cheap oil from Russia has been seen as profiting from troubles in the heart of Europe," Shinde added.

Modi's visit to Russia will make the US look bad

Just like Putin's visit to supply-chain hot spot Vietnam, India's engagement with Russia isn't a good look for the US, as it comes while Washington is isolating Putin's regime.

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The US has raised "some concerns" about India's relationship with Russia with New Delhi, Kurt Campbell, the US Deputy Secretary of State, said last month.

However, Washington acknowledges that India's ties with Russia are different from its ties with the US.

"We have many areas of alignment, but it is not surprising that there would be areas where we've had perhaps different perspectives, views, historical ties," Campbell said about America's relationship with India.

India, for its part, is looking to balance its relationship with the world's key powerbrokers — the US, Russia, and China.

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"There are different degrees in India's multi-alignment. Make no mistake — the United States and its allies are more consequential for India's future than its relationship with Russia," wrote Shinde.

India needs to leverage its historical ties with Russia to secure its economy and security, so Modi isn't just in Russia for a goodwill trip.

Reducing the trade imbalance

A key agenda item for the visit is to reduce a huge bilateral trade imbalance, said Kwatra.

India imports about $60 billion of goods a year from Russia, but Russia buys less than 10% of this amount from India, per Bloomberg.

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Modi may also touch on China's activities in the Indo-Pacific region, said Kwatra.

India is trying to manage its relationship with China, which has been testy since a border dispute in 2020. Modi skipped the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakhstan last week.

There's also the matter of Russia's ties with China.

At the summit last week, Putin said Russia's relationship with China is in the "best period in history."

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Modi now needs to cozy up to Putin to counter China's advances.

"The reason for the time-tested stability in India-Russia ties is to maintain a continental balance in the Eurasian heartland. That is, to balance China," wrote Shinde.

"Or to put it another way, don't go around making new adversaries when there are already two open fronts — China and Pakistan," Shinde added.

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Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

Russia’s deepening relationship with China, described as being in its 'best period in history,' complicates India’s efforts to maintain a balanced regional strategy.

India’s policy of strategic autonomy, respected by Russia, allows it to navigate these geopolitical shifts while pursuing its national interests, including discounted oil purchases from Moscow.

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

India did not join the Western sanctions against Russia

How has Russia/ India trade evolved since the start of the war in Ukraine?

India's purchases of Russian oil increased

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

Overall, the Modi-Putin era has seen India and Russia adapt their partnership to evolving global dynamics, balancing traditional ties with emerging strategic imperatives.

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?