Greenland, the world’s largest island and one of the last untouched frontiers on our planet, is half the size of Europe and more than three times the size of Texas, extending about 1,660 miles from North to South and over 650 miles at its widest point. Its geographic importance is primarily due to its vast size, strategic location, and significant ice sheet. Two-thirds of Greenland lies within the Arctic Circle, with its northern extremity less than 500 miles from the North Pole. This proximity to the Arctic makes Greenland strategically significant, particularly as Arctic routes become more navigable due to climate change.
The island’s massive ice sheet, second only to Antarctica’s, covers over four-fifths of Greenland’s total land area. This ice sheet plays a crucial role in global climate regulation and sea-level changes. The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet due to global warming has significant implications for global sea levels and climate patterns. The island’s physical connection to North America via a submarine ridge and its structural extension of the Canadian Shield further underscore its geographic significance. Only 56,000 people live there, and towns and settlements are scattered along the coast, including the capital Nuuk. Geographers think of Greenland as a valuable strategic Arctic asset and as a large aircraft carrier sitting in an amazing position.
Denmark’s Colonisation of Greenland
Greenland is politically a part of Europe, as a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark itself is a small European country of 6 million people with its capital Copenhagen being further away from Greenland’s capital Nuuk than Washington DC. Denmark’s colonisation of Greenland began in the early 18th century. Before that the indigenous people, the Inuit people with their culture based in the middle of nature, stayed for thousands of years surviving on subsistence on hunting whales and seals. Modern Danish colonisation started in 1721 with a permanent Danish-Norwegian colony established with the goals of missionisation and trade.
For the next 200 years, Christianity and the Danish language were pushed on the indigenous people. Their families were torn apart and that trauma left a legacy. Greenland was granted limited local self-government in 1862 and after World War II, a slow process of decolonisation started till it became an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It achieved home rule in 1979 and further autonomy in 2009, although Denmark continues to manage Greenland’s foreign relations and defence. Greenland maintains a contentious relationship with Denmark and has no military of its own.
US Guarantees Security to Greenland
Denmark has only a light military footprint in Greenland. Danish troops patrol on dog sleds across the inland and a few navy ships monitor the shores. It is American power and not Danish power that provides security. Both the Greenlanders and the Danes know that it is ultimately the US base that guarantees security to the island. The area is so large and inhospitable that even if Denmark used all its military budget on increasing surveillance, it would still leave large grey areas. Surveillance is especially important between Greenland, Iceland and the UK in the area called the GIUK gap. Control over this passage determined military advantage in the North Atlantic, influencing power projection and transatlantic defence. The GIUK Gap, consists of a 200-mile stretch of ocean between Greenland and Iceland and a 500-mile gap between Iceland and Scotland. This naval choke point is a crucial part of NATO strategy to detect and contain Russian ships, especially submarines moving between the Arctic and the Atlantic. Denmark is now investing in new ships and drones to deploy in the North.
Greenland was granted limited local self-government in 1862 and after World War II, a slow process of decolonisation started till it became an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It achieved home rule in 1979 and further autonomy in 2009, although Denmark continues to manage Greenland’s foreign relations and defence
Greenland is lately hogging the limelight due to hype shown by US President Donald Trump to acquire it in his endeavour to protect the free world. The methodology may vary from a settlement treaty to military coercion. Outright purchase with rehabilitation of residents is also not ruled out. To prevent German annexation during WW II, the Monroe Doctrine was invoked by the US to occupy Greenland, as Denmark had been defeated by the Germans. The three main concepts of the doctrine — separate spheres of influence for the Americas and Europe, non-colonisation, and non-intervention — were designed to signify a clear break between the New World and the autocratic realm of Europe. Scores of US fighters and Bombers landed in Greenland on to the war in Europe.
Greenland proved such a strategic asset that in a secret deal in 1946, the US wanted to buy it from Denmark for a hundred million USD in gold, but the offer was rejected. Both countries became NATO founding members in 1949 and since then, the US has continued to occupy parts of Greenland. In 1951, the Greenland Defence Agreement on common defence in Greenland was signed between the US and Denmark, which is still in effect today. So far being NATO allies, both nations have cooperated on the island. Being on the shortest route between the European part of Russia and the US, the US built one of its most important radar stations at Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base and maintains a military base there. This is part of the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and serves as a key site for missile warning and space surveillance.
The US facility was set up during the cold war to detect missile launches from the USSR and prepare to strike back. Built with permission of the Danish government, it pushes the defence line 2000 miles to the North and remains the Northernmost US military base in the world. This base had taken a back seat after the cold war. Its strategic location enhances the US military’s ability to project power, maintain a presence in the Arctic region and reduces response time in reacting to potential threats which is increasingly significant due to geopolitical interests and the changing Arctic environment. Greenland has a strategic role to play and a forward military presence for the US makes it a part of the US security system.
Russian and Chinese Cooperation
China and Russia have begun building up their Arctic military capabilities in recent years, according to an Arctic Institute paper. Because of Russian and Chinese cooperation in the Arctic, the US feels that it must have more control over Greenland. Greenland’s strategic geographic location and resource potential have always made it an area of interest for the United States in terms of both national security and economic opportunities. Washington sees control of Greenland as a way to expand its Arctic claims and access to untapped natural resources.
Situated between North America, Canada, the European Union and Russia, Greenland’s location makes it a critical point for military and geopolitical strategy. As per Marc Jacobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, “If Russia were to send missiles towards the US, the shortest route for nuclear weapons would be via the North Pole and Greenland.” The island’s proximity to the Arctic Circle and the North Pole enhances its strategic value, especially as Arctic routes become more navigable due to climate change and the melting ice. This has implications for military operations, trade routes, and potential resource exploration.
Control over the GIUK gap determines military advantage in the North Atlantic. It consists of a 200-mile stretch of ocean between Greenland and Iceland and a 500-mile gap between Iceland and Scotland. This naval choke point is a crucial part of NATO strategy to detect and contain Russian ships, especially submarines moving between the Arctic and the Atlantic
China Enters Race for the Arctic
China does not want to be left far behind in the race for the Arctic. In an era of sophisticated alliances and military diplomacy, the Asian giant too is showing interest by endeavouring to strengthen economic ties with Greenland. The rare earth metals in Greenland are the same metals which are required for the high technological eqpt necessary for a modern economy to thrive in the 21st century. They are also used in super semiconductor chips and in military weapons. China has access to them as they are refined in China. China tried to put in a bid to build large airports in Greenland with Chinese construction companies, but the US got a wind of it and scuttled the deal with help of Denmark. China’s efforts to get a foothold in Greenland’s mining industry has also time and again been blocked by the US. The US concern to keep Greenland within the western sphere of influence reflects broader concerns about competition in the Arctic, particularly from China whom the US sees as a natural rival.
Untapped Natural Resources
Economic reasons for the growing importance of Greenland equal the military strategic reasons. Greenland’s entire coastline holds one of the world’s greatest reserves of natural resources, including potential oil and gas reserves, as well as minerals like uranium and rare earth elements, most of which are untapped. These resources could become more accessible as ice melts due to global warming, presenting economic opportunities for exploration and extraction. Presently, there is very little mining activity in Greenland with only two active mines and only about 100 workers working there, with exploration being very challenging. Environmental concerns exist as radioactive Uranium reserves are also present close to the inhabited areas. Extracting resources are a lot costlier than other places as no roads link the Greenland settlements and the terrain is harsh with fjords, glaciers and icy mountain ranges. Due to the climate crisis, the quickly receding ice is creating opportunities as the ice retreats, to have greater accessibility to interior natural resources.
The warming globe is also creating a new ocean near Greenland which will have its own ramifications. Most see it as a golden economic opportunity rather than raising alarm bells. The world is waiting for new shipping routes to open in the Arctic which could cut shipping time between Europe and Asia and for most destinations, these routes would be shorter than the current route via the Suez Canal. The three main routes under consideration are the North West passage through the top of the Canadian archipelago, the northern sea route along the Russian coast and the Trans polar sea route. As of now, movement across the Arctic is limited and relies on expensive ice breakers. However, mining and shipping routes remain for the future. Presently, fishing is the mainstay of the Greenland economy which is not enough.
Denmark sends a grant of 500 million Euros to the Greenland Government which is half of its budget and nearly 10,000 Euros per resident every year. Without this, Greenland will end up with impoverished native villages without economies which implode socially. In return, Denmark gets to politically say much above its weight in the world circles especially with US, Russia and Canada. An American Consulate has opened in Greenland in 2020 to further mutual economic ties.
Another influencing factor for the US will be the Arctic Council consisting of eight member countries and six indigenous organisations, a intergovernmental forum established in 1996 to promote cooperation, coordination, and interaction among Arctic states and indigenous communities. The Council primarily focuses on environmental protection, sustainable development, and scientific research in the Arctic, avoiding military and security issues. India has the status of an observer state.
India’s scientists have maintained a presence in the Arctic with the setting up of the Himadri year-round research station at the International Arctic Research Base in Svalbard, Norway. India’s dependence on sea trade has the country looking towards the Northern Sea Routes and greater accessibility in the Arctic regions, especially as the oceans warm and ice melts
India Needs Access to Minerals
Russia has granted access to several arctic sea routes to China gives rise to the possibility of India seeking deeper ties with regional powers and increasing its presence in the Arctic region. The importance of rare earth minerals is extremely relevant for India’s technology and defence sectors. In Meenakshi Lekhi’s words, “With the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, India, like the US and other players, needs access to these minerals to fulfil its economic, sustainability, and defence ambitions.” India’s scientists have maintained a presence in the Arctic with the setting up of the Himadri year-round research station at the International Arctic Research Base in Svalbard, Norway. India’s dependence on sea trade has the country looking towards the Northern Sea Routes and greater accessibility in the Arctic regions, especially as the oceans warm and ice melts. The need of the hour is to consider a balanced, diplomatic approach to create a bridge with Greenland and to not miss the geopolitical boat to Greenland, putting its status of an observer state at the Arctic Council to good use.
With a strong independence movement in Greenland, people of Greenland do not intend to be owned either by the US or Denmark. Nationalist sentiment has grown, with polls indicating over 80% of Greenlanders in support of full independence. With resentment growing against Denmark, most of the Greenlanders do not see their future with Denmark. They are not looking at the Western world through the eyes of Denmark anymore but seeing it more globally. Greenland is clearly on the frontline of Trump’s expansionist second-term ambitions. Trump’s attention is well timed, as after a series of scandals, Greenlanders are increasingly considering their relationship with Denmark. In case of a referendum in favour of independence, the US is better placed to be the sponsor of free trade pact. Greenlanders are well aware of the gold mine of minerals they are sitting on and the strategic value that their island holds, especially as the changing climate is accelerating superpower competition in the Arctic. A viable option is collaboration and grant of access in lieu of cash.
As per the New York Times, President Trump’s advisers have already begun making their case public, arguing that Denmark has been a poor custodian of the island, that only the United States can protect it from encroachment by Russia and China, and that America will help Greenlanders ‘get rich’. President Trump’s long time goal of claiming Greenland for America has shifted from rhetoric to official US policy as the White House moves forward on a formal plan to acquire Greenland from Denmark. Persuasion and not invasion seems to be the plan to get Greenland. The ultimate reality is that Greenland does not have the population or the economic base to defend itself if the US, Russia or China decide to take its resources by force.
The writer is an armed forces veteran who has been an instructor at OTA, Chennai and Army War College, Mhow. He has commanded an Infantry Battalion Group with UN in Sudan and an Infantry Brigade in the Northern Sector
