Greenland's parliament approves US defence pact allowing two new American bases

Greenland's parliament on Tuesday approved a defence agreement that lets the United States set up two new military bases on the island and keeps countries outside the European Union and NATO out of strategic sectors, mainly investment, according to an AFP report. The restriction is aimed at limiting Chinese and Russian influence.

The Inatsisartut passed the agreement by 16 votes to none, with seven members abstaining. It now needs the approval of Denmark's parliament, which is expected to vote on 19 November, according to the Swedish news agency TT. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

What the agreement does

US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed the agreement in New York on 22 September, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It amends and adds to a 1951 defence agreement that governs the US military presence in Greenland.

According to Al Jazeera, it lets the United States "modernise and expand" its activities at Pituffik Space Base, the remote American installation in the island's north-west, and paves the way for more US bases. TT reported that the agreement recognises the Kingdom of Denmark's sovereignty and the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination. Al Jazeera reported that it would still apply if Greenland later chose independence.

The agreement enters into force only once the United States is notified by diplomatic note that both Greenland and Denmark have completed their parliamentary procedures. It does not need approval from the US Senate.

Reactions

Greenland's foreign minister, Mute Egede, called the ratification another important step. He said Greenland had "stood firm on our fundamental principles" and chosen dialogue, Al Jazeera reported.

The opposition Naleraq party questioned whether the island would gain economically. Its chairman, Pele Broberg, said Greenland had not profited financially, Russia's TASS news agency reported.

Background

Greenland, the world's largest island, has about 57,000 people and large mineral reserves. Since January 2025, Trump has argued that the United States must control it for strategic reasons, which alarmed Denmark and other allies. Last year he declined to rule out using military force, and polls have shown that most Greenlanders reject US control.

The agreement is a negotiated answer to that pressure. Washington gets more military access, Copenhagen keeps sovereignty, and Greenland keeps its route to independence.

Why it matters for India

The investment clause is aimed squarely at China, which calls itself a "near-Arctic state". Chinese companies have previously sought stakes in mining projects in Greenland, including for rare earths. India, which depends heavily on China for rare-earth magnets and other critical minerals, has an interest in new sources outside China; Greenland is one possible source. India has been an observer at the Arctic Council since 2013, runs the Himadri research station in Svalbard and published an Arctic policy in 2022.

As melting ice opens Arctic shipping routes and mineral deposits, control of the region is becoming a larger part of US-China and US-Russia rivalry. We could find no response to the vote from Beijing or Moscow by Wednesday morning.

What happens next

The Danish parliament is due to debate and vote on the agreement this month, with the final vote expected on 19 November. If it passes, Denmark and Greenland will notify Washington and the agreement will take effect.