Editorial of the day (16th Apr): India's Arctic Imperative

Table of Contents

Context: India’s first winter expedition in the Arctic successfully concluded.

Reasons for the Shift in Indian Policy

Scientific Data: Changed due to new data showing the Arctic warming faster than anticipated, and links between catastrophic climatic events in India and the melting of Arctic sea ice.
Economic Interests: Interest in using the Arctic Sea routes, particularly the Northern Sea Route, to reduce costs and improve efficiency for Indian trade.
Geopolitical Concerns: Concerns over China’s growing influence in the Arctic and Russia granting China expanded access to the Northern Sea Route, amidst heightened regional tensions influenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

India has been involved in the Arctic since signing the Svalbard Treaty in 1920.
In 2007, India launched its first research mission in the Arctic, focusing on microbiology, atmospheric sciences, and geology (the only developing nation besides China).
In 2008, India established its Arctic research base and was later granted ‘observer’ status by the Arctic Council in 2013.
India set up a multi-sensor moored observatory in 2014 and an atmospheric laboratory in 2016 at Svalbard.

Economic vs. Environmental Concerns: There is a division within India’s academic and policy circles regarding the implications of climate change in the Arctic for India, especially concerning mining for fossil fuels.
Proponents argue for pragmatic economic exploitation in the Arctic.
Sceptics caution against environmental damage and advocate for a balanced policy that considers the adverse impacts of maritime resource exploitation.

India and Norway have collaborated since the late 1980s on researching the impact of Arctic and Antarctic changes on South Asia.
Current Indian policy focuses on cooperation in green energy and clean industries.
Collaboration with Norway could be transformative, enhancing India’s involvement in the Arctic Council’s working groups on issues like the blue economy and responsible resource development.
India seeks to benefit from seabed mining and resource exploitation but faces the challenge of adopting a sustainable extraction approach.

India’s Arctic Policy includes six pillars: scientific research, climate and environmental protection, economic and human development, transportation and connectivity, governance and international cooperation, and national capacity building.
India aims to explore economic opportunities in the Arctic responsibly, with the help of Norway in designing sustainable policies.
Constructive and non-sensitive approaches to addressing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic are deemed crucial for both India and Norway.

Arctic Council

Established: 1996 as per the terms of the Ottawa Declaration.
Preceding Initiatives: Before its establishment, the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy, unveiled in June 1991, laid the groundwork for the council by focusing on environmental protection in the Arctic.
Function: It serves as the primary forum for fostering cooperation, coordination, and dialogue among Arctic nations, indigenous communities, and residents of the Arctic.
Focus Areas: The council is dedicated to tackling issues pertinent to the Arctic, with particular emphasis on sustainable development and environmental conservation in the region.
Members: The Arctic Council comprises eight member countries with territories in the Arctic: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.

Editorial of the day (16th Apr): India's Arctic Imperative_4.1

Decision-making Process: Decisions within the Council are made unanimously, requiring agreement from all eight member Arctic States and in consultation with permanent participants.
Permanent Participation: Six organisations representing the indigenous people of the Arctic region have been granted the status of permanent participants.
Observer Entities: Entities that align with the Council’s mission and have proven contributions, including financial support, may be granted Observer status.
- The list of Observers includes thirteen countries with India among them, alongside thirteen intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary bodies, and twelve non-governmental organisations.