Of late, Greenland has been in the headlines for plenty of reasons. American President Donald Trump has been emphatic about acquiring Greenland and making it a part of the U.S. of A.
Hype around this sparsely populated, ice-covered island close to the North Pole, in fact, has been rife since before President Trump took oath. That’s because Greenland is a strategic Arctic asset and even India would do well to pay attention.
History of Greenland
Historically, since the 19th century, various American governments have pushed privately to acquire Greenland. In December 2024, Trump publicly declared his intention to acquire Greenland, stating: “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”
He did not specify the methodology, which could vary from a settlement treaty to military coercion, an outright purchase involving direct payments and rehabilitation of residents, or even the methods of acquisition adopted in the case of the Panama Canal.
Since taking oath, he has doubled down on his ambition to acquire Greenland several times. But first, a little history.
Greenland’s first inhabitants arrived from what is now Northern Canada in approximately 2500 BCE. In 982 AD, Erik the Red, a Viking explorer, brought the first Europeans to Greenland, who set up the Nordic colonies and introduced Christianity.
In the 1700s, Denmark-Norway set up a trading post and, before the turn of that century, had colonised Greenland, cutting off coastal access to other countries until the 1950s. It has remained an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1953, but has come under an autonomous home rule system. To prevent German annexation during WWII, the Monroe Doctrine was invoked by the US to occupy Greenland, as Denmark had been defeated by the Germans. Since then, the US has continued to occupy parts of Greenland and maintains a military base there.
Strategic and economic significance
Greenland is strategically located in the Arctic Ocean, a gateway to Europe along the Western trading routes. While it isn’t on the Northern Sea Route, which is controlled by Russia, its location near Arctic shipping lanes makes it important for tracking global trade and military movement in the region.
With escalating tensions between China and the US, Greenland offers a key location for the US to expand its military presence in the Arctic.
Further, the economic importance of Greenland for any country that controls its vast mineral resources cannot be overlooked. Greenland is a treasure trove of rare earth minerals and uranium-rich deposits that are essential for any country considering the transition to green and clean energy. Rare elements like dysprosium, neodymium, europium, and yttrium are critical raw materials for AI hardware, quantum computing technologies, renewable energy systems, and advanced defence equipment. Just the Tanbreez— a major rare earth mining project in southern Greenland—is home to an estimated 28 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, 30 per cent of which are heavy rare earth elements.
Trump, the wily businessman that he is, has seen the opportunity to tap these vast resources, more so as global warming, melts Arctic ice at a faster pace, increasing accessibility to these deposits. It is logical to assume that new sea routes will emerge once the ice melts, and therefore increases the strategic relevance of Greenland.
On 4 March, Trump had a message for the people of Greenland: “We will keep you safe, we will make you rich, and together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”
Greenland has no military of its own; being a part of Denmark, the Danish military is responsible for its protection and it is covered by NATO. The 1951 Greenland Defense Agreement—a military treaty between Denmark and the US—allowed the US to intervene in the event of any attack on Greenland, as well as to set up their military bases. As of 2025, the US maintains the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base). Per the 2004 Igaliku Agreement, Thule Air Base is the only US military facility in Greenland, and the US cannot make any changes without Denmark and Greenland’s consent.
What is the Arctic Council?
The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum established in 1996 to promote cooperation, coordination, and interaction among Arctic states and indigenous communities. It consists of eight member countries—Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States—and six indigenous organisations as permanent participants. India enjoys the status of an observer state.
The Council primarily focuses on environmental protection, sustainable development, and scientific research in the Arctic, avoiding military and security issues.
The Arctic Council has increasing relevance and, over the years, has played a crucial role in climate change research, pollution prevention, and biodiversity conservation. However, geopolitical tensions—especially following the Russia–Ukraine conflict—have disrupted collaboration, raising concerns about the region’s stability.
The Arctic’s global importance has also increased due to rising interest from non-Arctic states like China and Europe’s dependence on the region. As climate change accelerates ice melt, new shipping routes are opening up, leading to resource extraction opportunities. Therefore, the Arctic Council’s role in governance and diplomacy is more critical than ever.
Why Trump wants Greenland
President Trump’s interest in Greenland is not unprecedented. He is pursuing a long-standing American interest in the island.
Since the 19th century, the US has shown interest in the island, including a $100 million offer in gold bars to Denmark in 1946. Trump’s recent overtures, however, have been more assertive.
In a phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, he conveyed a “serious” and “firm” desire to acquire Greenland, citing national security and resource interests. Forbes has referred to Greenland as a “strategic Arctic asset”—and these assets are resources that could significantly reduce US dependence on China, which currently controls over 80 per cent of global rare earth element production.
Back in January, Mike Waltz, now US National Security Adviser, announced on Fox News: “This is about the Arctic. You have Russia that is trying to become king. This is about critical minerals, this is about natural resources. It’s oil and gas. It’s our national security.”
Such announcements have been met with pushback. Denmark’s King Frederik X, in January, changed the country’s coat of arms to give prominence to the polar bear, symbol of Greenland, and the ram, symbol of the Faroe Islands—sending out a not-so-subtle message to America.
President Trump’s statements, followed by Vice President JD Vance’s declarations during his Greenland visit last Friday, are absolutely unambiguous about the stance of the US.
Just ahead of Vance’s visit on 28 March, the Danish Defence Minister, Trois Lund Poulsen, stated that it did not suit a close ally to make “escalating” statements. Denmark is an ally and not an enemy state also enjoys NATO status. Keeping this situation in mind it’s more likely that solution on the lines of Free Zone under the Commonwealth status will be accorded to Greenland as a workable solution. This is an assessment but more clarity will come from negotiations that are likely to happen post Vice President JD Vance’s visit under slightly unwelcoming circumstances.
Also Read: MAGA, MIGA, and Viksit Bharat—why India is on the rise in Trump 2.0
Global response and escalating tensions
The EU is opposed to the acquisition of Greenland by the US, and has recently set up a permanent post in Nuuk. Russia’s dominant presence, China’s growing Arctic ambitions, and now the actions of the US, may intensify competition.
The European Parliament supports stronger EU engagement in the Arctic, including with Greenland. Its resolution of 7 October 2021 called for increased EU visibility in the Arctic and for the EU “to establish an enhanced political dialogue on bilateral cooperation with … Greenland.”
Russia already dominates this region, and China has now stepped up activities in the Arctic. Moscow, hit by economic sanctions after the Ukraine conflict, seeks to expand trade with China—on which it is heavily reliant—along the Northern Sea Route on its coast.
Further, American plans for Greenland are likely to give rise to potential diplomatic rifts within NATO and the Arctic Council.
What this means for India
The importance of rare earth minerals is extremely relevant for India’s technology and defence sectors. 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. With the breakdown of supply chains with China during Covid-19, India needs to look for alternate sources.
Further, India’s dependence on sea trade has the country looking toward the Northern Sea Routes and greater accessibility in the Arctic regions, especially as the oceans warm and ice melts.
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.
Further, Russia has granted access to several Arctic sea routes to China—something that is a geopolitical pain point for many. This gives rise to the possibility of India seeking deeper ties with regional powers and increasing its presence in the Arctic region.
We must consider a balanced, diplomatic approach and create a bridge with Greenland. We cannot afford to miss the geopolitical boat to Greenland. India enjoys the status of Vishwa Mitra and holds a prominent interest in the region through its observer status in the Arctic Council, along with warm relations with Russia, which remains a dominant power in the region.
Maybe it’s time to take a cruise, enjoy the northern lights, and act as a bridge to bring peace and harmony to the region.
Meenakshi Lekhi is a BJP leader, lawyer and social activist. Her X handle is @M_Lekhi. Views are personal.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)
Below are a few thought provoking factoids. They should make one question the ostensible notions which are driving the frenzy. And help to better examine Ms. Lekhi’s proposition of India prioritizing a diplomatically steered geopolitical boat trip to Greenland.
> Rare earth elements are not “rare” because they are rarely found. It is that they are typically found in very low concentrations in ore deposits.
> USA’s Mountain Pass mine was the world’s largest source of rare earths till the 1990s. Then, China began to increase its mining and processing operations for rare earths.
> Mountain Pass was not shut down because its rare earth deposits had got exhausted/depleted.
( https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/11/12/the-collapse-of-american-rare-earth-mining-and-lessons-learned/)
> Below is an article by Mr. Shekhar Gupta:
Episode 702 (March 2021) of “Cut The Clutter” series-“Rare earths, their strategic significance, China’s monopoly & why it matters to the Quad”.
<https://theprint.in/opinion/rare-earths-their-strategic-significance-chinas-monopoly-why-it-matters-to-the-quad/621142/
Mr. Shekhar Gupta has given an informative, credible analysis of the subject in it.
I clarify so because I otherwise typically (regrettably) refrain from suggesting articles by Mr. Shekhar Gupta (of Act ThePrint) to others for reference purposes. He regularly delivers such howlingly dubious views and analyses on economic affairs (and occasionally on other matters too) that I sometimes wonder if the prior Mr. Shekhar Gupta had ever really existed.
> The global rare earth metals market size was valued between USD 4.0 billion and 6.0 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach between USD 6.0 billion and 11.0 billion by 2029 (estimates differ considerably) .
So much for there being a treasure trove of rare earths worth an economic value of trillions of dollars in Greenland.
Adding my bit to Mr. Anonymous’s apt comments…Ms. Lekhi and the govt. should first learn to treat the citizens of the nation as sentient, free human beings, and in accordance with our constitution, before they aspire to be anyone’s “mitra”, let alone the whole world’s mitra (vishwa mitra).
Greenland is an autonomous, self-governing territory (and people) of Denmark.
These are not medieval times, and Greenland is not a piece of property…or a maiden…available for anyone’s taking by dint of brute force or desire.
We ourselves won our hard-earned freedom barely a century ago.
Ms. Lekhi and her party have never identified with our values, our struggles, our complex (rich) history, and heritage. They have little regard for citizens’ rights and welfare.
How could they possibly understand what it feels like to have one’s autonomy threatened?
They don’t dare to express even a modicum of support for the people of Greenland when the latter are being shockingly threatened in the blatant fashion. But like Mr. Trump, Ms. Lekhi and her party can’t but try grabbing at @ !@#$ when some people are weak and vulnerable.
My my Lekhiji, can you find Greenland on the Map? Quite clear that this article is ghost written
First fix potholes, pavements, drains,; end socialism and corruption; fill vacant central govt jobs, buy 126 fighter jets, and then talk about Greenland.