October 27, 2026: India and Russia are looking to leverage the Northern Sea Route (NSR) for faster transport of goods and hydrocarbons with the first pilot voyage being planned for 2027 — the 80th year of beginning of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 
The development assumes significance considering the enhanced cooperation between India and Russia to expand the trade in crude oil, LNG, fertilizers and critical minerals notwithstanding attempts by the US to pressurise New Delhi from buying energy commodities from Moscow.

Considered the shortest coastal passage between Western Eurasia and Asia-Pacific, the 5,600 km long NSR runs from the Kara Strait to Cape Dezhnev in the Bering Strait.

Kirill Komarov, the First Deputy Director General for Corporate Development and International Business at Rosatom, said there is “strong interest” among Indian partners in the NSR. 

“In 2024, a dedicated working group was established within the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission. Three meetings have been held, the latest on August 13 (2026) in Arkhangelsk, Russia. As a practical step, the latest working group meeting also agreed to organise a pilot voyage between Russian and Indian ports via the NSR in 2027,” he told businessline.

Since 2018, Rosatom has been the infrastructure operator of the NSR. The Russian nuclear behemoth is responsible for developing the passage, including building nuclear icebreakers, ensuring navigational and hydrographic support, maintaining maritime safety systems, organising shipping operations, and guaranteeing reliable navigation, including transit.

Since the Arctic Ocean is covered in ice for most of the year, icebreakers are required for safe navigation. Russia is the only country with a nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet that is operated by Rosatom’s subsidiary Atomflot.

(Source: Hindu Business Line)