Recently, India drafted an Arctic policy with objectives such as expanding scientific research, promoting sustainable tourism, and exploring mineral oil and gas in the Arctic region. This initiative is making headlines and opening a new chapter of India’s involvement in polar studies and exploration.
Main Components of the Policy
The Goa-based National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research has been appointed as the nodal body to streamline scientific research and coordinate among various scientific entities. The ultimate goal is to boost India’s domestic scientific research capabilities in the Arctic.
The policy entails three key objectives: promoting the scientific study of the Arctic through curriculum development in earth sciences, biological sciences, geosciences, climate change, and space-related programs in universities; planning Arctic-related programs for mineral/oil and gas exploration; and encouraging tourism and hospitality sectors by building specialized capacities and awareness.
About the Arctic Region
Located at Earth’s northernmost part, the Arctic region includes the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of several countries. Its land has seasonally variable snow and ice cover.
Ecological Impact of Warming on Arctic
Climate change impacts in the Arctic have led to rising sea levels, altered salinity, precipitation patterns, and the deterioration of the tundra. The region’s rich biodiversity is under serious threat due to higher temperatures and dwindling year-long ice. Additionally, the lifestyle of around 40 different indigenous groups residing in the area is in jeopardy.
Commercial Importance of the Arctic
Despite the challenges, the Arctic’s opening offers significant commercial and economic opportunities, particularly in shipping, energy, fisheries, and mineral resources. For example, the Northern Sea Route (NSR) could revolutionize trade in Russia and Scandinavian countries by providing a shorter link between the North Atlantic and the North Pacific. Moreover, the vast oil and natural gas deposits in the Arctic ocean represent about 22% of the world’s unexplored resources.
Issues and Conflicts Over the Arctic
However, the dangerous navigation conditions present challenges for commercial exploitation, along with other logistical issues such as lack of deep-water ports, need for ice-breakers, shortage of trained workers and high insurance costs. Moreover, there are overlapping claims over the Arctic by Russia, Canada, Norway, and Denmark. It is worth noting that unlike Antarctica, there is no overarching treaty to govern the Arctic.
India’s Interests in the Arctic
India has both environmental and strategic interests in the Arctic. Its long coastline makes it vulnerable to the effects of Arctic warming, which could impact weather patterns, fisheries, and particularly the monsoon. Arctic research can aid India’s scientific community in studying the melting rates of the Himalayan glaciers, the world’s largest freshwater reserves outside the geographic poles.
India has launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic in 2007, and maintains three research stations in Norway. Furthermore, monitoring the strategic implications of an active China in the Arctic is vital. Since 2013, India holds an observer status in the Arctic Council, a dominant inter-governmental forum dedicated to the Arctic’s environment and development.
Moving Forward with the Arctic Policy
It is crucial for India’s presence in the Arctic to expand from the scientific exploration dimension to strategic, economic, environmental, and political aspects. The drafting of a new Arctic policy seems to be a timely response for an increasingly important region.