U.S., Denmark and Greenland Agree on Arctic Security Deal

U.S., Denmark and Greenland Agree on Arctic Security Deal

Why in News?

• The United States, Denmark and Greenland have agreed on a proposed security arrangement to strengthen U.S. military presence in Greenland. 
• The agreement is expected to be formally signed during the UN General Assembly next week. 
• The deal follows months of tension after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed interest in gaining greater control over Greenland. 
• Denmark and Greenland have stressed that the agreement will not affect Greenland’s sovereignty or its people’s right to self-determination.

Key Features

• The proposed agreement would allow the U.S. to expand its military activities in Greenland. 
• It would prevent U.S. adversaries from establishing military bases or a military presence on the island without U.S. approval. 
• The detailed provisions of the agreement have not yet been made public. 
• Defence and foreign affairs are currently handled by Denmark, while Greenland enjoys extensive self-government. 

Why is Greenland important?

• Arctic Location: Greenland is the world’s largest island and lies between North America and Europe, making it important for monitoring the Arctic and approaches to North America. 
• Military Importance: The U.S. operates the Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance. 
• Russia and China: Growing military and economic activity by Russia and China in the Arctic has increased Greenland’s strategic importance for the U.S. and NATO. 
• Critical Minerals: Greenland has significant deposits of rare earth elements and other minerals used in electronics, electric vehicles and defence equipment. 
• Emerging Sea Routes: Melting Arctic ice is opening new possibilities for shipping, fishing and mineral exploration. 

U.S. Territorial Acquisitions

• 1803 – Louisiana Purchase: U.S. bought 827,000 sq miles from France for $15 million. 
• 1819 – Florida: Acquired from Spain through the Adams–Onís Treaty; U.S. assumed $5 million in claims against Spain. 
• 1845 – Texas: U.S. annexed Texas, making it the 28th state. 
• 1848 – Mexican Cession: Mexico ceded about 529,000 sq miles to the U.S. for $15 million after the Mexican-American War. 
• 1867 – Alaska: Purchased from Russia for $7.2 million. 
• 1898 – Hawaii: U.S. annexed Hawaii; it became a territory in 1900 and a state in 1959. 
• 1898 – Puerto Rico & Guam: Acquired from Spain after the Spanish-American War. 
• 1900 – American Samoa: Samoan islands were gradually ceded to the U.S.; American Samoa became a U.S. territory. 
• 1917 – U.S. Virgin Islands: Purchased from Denmark for $25 million in gold. 
• 1975 – Northern Mariana Islands: Became a U.S. territory after earlier U.S. administration under the Pacific Islands trust arrangement. 
• Today: The U.S. has 14 territories, of which 5 are inhabited. The remaining 9 are uninhabited outlying islands.

About Greenland: 

• Greenland is the world’s largest island, located in the Arctic between North America and Europe. About 80% of its land is covered by an ice sheet. 
• It is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, not an independent country. 
• Greenland received Home Rule in 1979 and expanded self-government in 2009. 
• It has its own elected Parliament (Inatsisartut) and Government (Naalakkersuisut). 
• Foreign & Defence Affairs: These largely remain under the responsibility of the Danish government. 
• Greenland's Self-Government Act provides a legal path toward independence, subject to Greenlandic and Danish processes. 
• Capital: Nuuk. 
• Population: Around 56,000–57,000, making it one of the world's most sparsely populated areas. 
• Strategic Importance: Its Arctic location makes it important for defence, surveillance, shipping routes and access to natural resources. 
• Greenland has significant mineral resources, including rare earth elements, and has authority over many resource-related matters. 
• Greenland left the European Economic Community in 1985, although it remains associated with Denmark.

Q. With reference to Greenland and the U.S.–Denmark–Greenland security arrangement, consider the following statements:

1. Greenland is an independent country located in the Arctic between North America and Europe. 
2. Greenland has its own elected Parliament and Government, while defence and foreign affairs largely remain the responsibility of Denmark. 
3. The U.S. operates the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, which has roles in missile warning and space surveillance. 
4. Greenland became a U.S. territory in 1975 along with the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 4 only
 B. 2 and 3 only
 C. 1, 2 and 3 only
 D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Greenland is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, not an independent country. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• Greenland has its own elected institutions, while defence and foreign affairs largely remain with Denmark. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The Pituffik Space Base supports missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

The Northern Mariana Islands, not Greenland, became a U.S. territory in 1975. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.