$35 trillion treasure is hidden in the Arctic
Experts say that China is eyeing the treasures of the Arctic and the new sea route, which is now coming to the world after the melting of ice. After the war between Russia, China and America to increase influence in the Arctic, a new Cold War has kind of started here. The Arctic is one of the last remaining areas on Earth that have not yet been exploited. Here the temperature running in minus is very dangerous for human life, which has become a natural wall for human development and excavation. However, the situation is changing after climate change. About $35 trillion worth of oil and natural gas could be hidden in the Arctic region. This is the reason why Russia has greatly increased its economic and military hold on the Arctic. Apart from this, there are abundant fish in the Arctic region which can feed the growing human population. The Arctic’s oil and gas reserves could meet the world’s energy needs. It is believed that 16 per cent of the world’s unexplored oil and 30 per cent of the gas in the Arctic is believed to be buried under the sea.
Arctic ice will melt by 2035
Apart from this, many metals like nickel, platinum, rare earth are hidden in the arctic area. Because of this treasure of the Arctic, countries from all over the world are reaching here. They are increasing military spending and deploying their specialized training armies there to support their claims. The polar ice in the Arctic is melting very rapidly and according to some estimates, the entire region could be ice-free by the year 2035. It is now possible for seafarers to sail through the Arctic region in the summer months to make their way to Europe and North Asia. These new routes are much shorter than the already existing Suez or Panama Canal sea trade routes. This will save the journey of thousands of ships. If we talk about the sea route, then the sea route from Rotterdam in Netherlands to Shanghai city of China was 26 thousand km long. After the construction of the Suez Canal, the journey became 23% shorter. If the journey starts from the Arctic, it will become 24 percent smaller. This will save both fuel cost and time.
Putin working to make Arctic a military fortress
In the summer months, Russian ships have been passing through this area with the help of icebreakers. This journey will be easier when the snow is less. The entire region has been the center of tension between various countries over territorial claims. The United States, Denmark, Canada and Norway are alarmed by Russia’s growing military might in the Arctic. In the midst of the Ukraine war, the Arctic region in particular remained the subject of discussion. Russia is the largest country in the world with 11 time zones. Russia is afraid that its 24,000 km long border with the Arctic region is in danger. This is the reason why the Russian army is very much focused on its military expansion in the Arctic region. Russia has reopened 50 of its military bases in the Arctic. Not only this, 10 radar stations have been upgraded. Russia has also strengthened its air force and deployed state-of-the-art MiG-31 fighter jets near the Arctic, capable of causing long-range destruction. Apart from this, anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles have also been deployed. Russian warships are equipped with hypersonic missiles.
America and NATO intensify preparations for Arctic conquest
Amidst the growing influence of Russia, America has also started military preparations. The US is building a chain of early warning radar stations from its state of Alaska to Canada, Greenland and Norway. Not only this, America is deploying its fifth generation state-of-the-art fighter jets in Alaska. Not only this, killer submarines of America and NATO often pass under the polar ice. Not only this, 6 warships of the US Navy are now patrolling in the Arctic region, which Russia considers its area of influence. The US is trying to tell it through its patrol that the Arctic is an international waters. Angered by these steps of America, Russia conducted a live fire drill in the Barents Sea in the year 2019. Norway, which is going to become a new member of NATO adjacent to Russia, has approved the creation of American bases. America also keeps a large amount of arms and ammunition here. NATO had exercised here in the year 2018 with its 50 thousand soldiers. Canada is also increasing its military strength greatly in the area.
Now the Chinese dragon also has an eye on the treasures of the Arctic
On the other hand, China, engaged in plundering natural resources by spreading a net of debt around the world, is now preparing to capture the treasure under the surface of the Arctic sea. China considers the Arctic to be an area of international importance that is not protected solely for its neighbors in the Arctic. China has built ships capable of conducting research in icy waters to sharpen its catch. China has sent 10 of its scientific research missions to the Arctic region. It is believed that China is now making a nuclear-powered icebreaker. Not only this, China is now connecting the Arctic with its ambitious Belt and Road project. China is offering countries like Sweden to buy ports. He wants to build a railway line from Finland to China. China had offered to build airports in Greenland and Finland in the year 2018, which Finland rejected. In this way, the Arctic has now become the new arena of domination among the superpowers in the 21st century. However, due to the immense snow spread here, it will not be easy for any country to extract the treasure of oil and gas.