SOVEREIGNTY OF GREENLAND, GEOPOLITICS IN ARCTIC SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL LAW

AUTHOR – DR.S.KRISHNAN* & MS. VAISHALI SONI**

* ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN SEEDLING SCHOOL OF LAW AND GOVERNANCE, JAIPUR NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, JAIPUR

** FINAL YEAR LAW STUDENT OF LLB (3) IN SEEDLING SCHOOL OF LAW AND GOVERNANCE, JAIPUR NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, JAIPUR

BEST CITATION – DR.S.KRISHNAN & MS. VAISHALI SONI, SOVEREIGNTY OF GREENLAND, GEOPOLITICS IN ARCTIC SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL LAW, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (1) OF 2026, PG. 552-565, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/XXAG6917

Abstract

President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland is now framed not as a novelty or negotiating stunt, but as a foreign policy and national security imperative. Administration officials argue that Greenland’s Arctic location, proximity to emerging shipping lanes, and potential role in countering Russian and Chinese influence make US control strategically essential.  The Greenland episode may teach him differently. While Denmark is no match for the US in military terms, it does hold good title to the island, along with the right to self-determination of the local population. In this instance, International Law does play an important strategic role, balancing the relative power of both sides.  The united and strong European response to US threats against Denmark – a brand leader in compliance with International Law along with other Nordic states – offers an indication that others remain committed to the international rule of law and will, eventually, be willing to speak up in favour of an international system governed by rules and principles that by and large yield stability and security for all, whether weak or strong.

Keywords: International Law, Sovereignty, Jurisdiction, National Security, Alliance