On August 24, according to TASS news agency, quoting Ms. Irina Strelnikova, Director of the Interdisciplinary Arctic Research Center of the Russian School of Advanced Economics, a new alliance between many countries could form around the development of the trans-Arctic transport corridor.
Talking to TASS, Ms. Strelnikova assessed this possibility as "completely realistic". According to Russian experts, the trans-Arctic transport corridor is gradually becoming a project that is not only of economic significance but also has geopolitical elements.
Ms. Strelnikova said that economic benefits are promoting cooperation around this corridor. The development of transport routes can help countries access resources, expand to new markets and strengthen logistics capacity.
China, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are considered countries likely to join the alliance. Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are also interested in expanding transportation chains and accessing new markets.
However, according to Ms. Strelnikova, to form a stable alliance, countries must first have similar economic benefits. The transport corridor needs to bring specific benefits to all parties, including access to resources, market expansion and logistics system development.
Political factors also play an important role. Participating countries need to have the will to cooperate and be ready to resolve outstanding issues.
One of the issues that may be hindered is the different views on the legal status of the Northern Sea Route. According to Russian experts, countries wishing to join the alliance need to find common ground on this issue.
In addition, geopolitical competition and sanctions pressure from the US may also affect the cooperation process.
Ms. Strelnikova also noted another possible scenario that countries do not form a common alliance but choose to cooperate separately with Russia. At that time, Russia may develop separate cooperative relations with China, India and the UAE instead of all three countries participating in a common mechanism.
According to her, the formation of a stable alliance therefore depends on the ability of countries to find common ground in economic interests, while resolving political and legal differences.
