India’s Arctic Challenge

La Excellence IAS Academy

April 16, 2024

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La Excellence IAS Academy | April 16, 2024 | Geography

Syllabus: GS-I, Subject: Geography, Topic: Resources – World and India, Issue: Arctic Region

Context: India’s first winter Arctic mission ended successfully in March 2024.

Reason behind winter Arctic mission:

India’s policy shift was driven by scientific data revealing accelerated Arctic warming.
New Delhi seeks to exploit Arctic Sea routes for trade to reduce costs and time.
Geopolitical concerns arise from China’s Arctic investments and Russia-China cooperation.
Tensions in the region, including Russia-Ukraine conflict, amplify India’s strategic considerations.

Other issues:

Indian academia and policy communities are divided on Arctic engagement.
Debate centers on economic impacts versus environmental concerns of Arctic resource exploitation.

+1 advantage for mains( India’s cooperation with Arctic countries)

· India and Norway have collaborated since the late 1980s on Arctic and Antarctic research.

· Cooperation intensified due to climate change impacts on the Arctic and South Asian monsoon.

· India aims to enhance ‘responsible stakeholder’ status through green energy and clean industries cooperation with Arctic countries.

· Collaboration with Denmark and Finland focuses on waste management, pollution control, and renewable energy.

· Partnership with Norway could boost Indian participation in Arctic Council’s working groups.

· Indian government seeks sustainable extraction in Arctic while exploring economic opportunities.

· Norway could assist India in designing sustainable policies accommodating scientific and industrial needs.

· Both countries seek constructive ways to alleviate geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.

India’s Arctic Journey

· India’s Arctic involvement dates back to 1920 with the signing of the Svalbard Treaty.

· In 2007, India initiated its first Arctic research mission.

· India established its Arctic research base in 2008, joining China as the only developing countries with a presence.

· Granted ‘observer’ status by the Arctic Council in 2013,.

· Multi-sensor moored observatory in Svalbard (2014) and atmospheric laboratory (2016) were commissioned.

· Research focuses on Arctic ice systems, glaciers, and their impact on the Himalayas and Indian monsoon.