US in high-level talks to open new bases as its sovereign territory in Greenland
The US wishes to open three new bases in the semi-autonomous southern part Denmark as they strive to resolve a diplomatic crisis that erupted after President Donald Trump threatened to seize Greenland by force.
Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European NATO members in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. (AP Photo/ File)
The United States is regularly holding talks with Denmark as it plans to expand its military presence in Greenland, the BBC confirmed from multiple officials familiar with the discussions.
They said negotiations between the two sides have progressed in recent months.
The White House also confirmed that the administration was in high-level talks with Greenland and Denmark; however, it did not divulge any details of the negotiations. “There is an ongoing diplomatic track with the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not go into further detail at this time,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
According to the BBC, a White House official also said the US government believes the talks were advancing on the right path.
In January, Trump claimed that the US should “own” Greenland to keep Russia or China away from taking it. This could happen in an “easy way ” or a “hard way”, he said.
According to a source cultivated by the BBC, the US has now floated an arrangement where the three new military bases would be formally marked as US sovereign territory.
Story continues below this ad
The military bases in southern Greenland would majorly focus on surveillance of potential Russian and Chinese maritime activity in the northern Atlantic between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom, the BBC reported.
However, no formal agreement between the two sides has been reached, and the final number of new bases could hence change, the BBC reported, citing sources. One of these bases could be located in Narsarsuaq, in the place of a former US military base housing a small airport.
The other bases would also likely be opened at sites that already have an infrastructure, such as airfields or ports, that could be upgraded at lower costs instead of spending hefty amounts on building new facilities.
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
