Recently, India participated in the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM), where it outlined its research plans and potential for long-term cooperation in the Arctic Region. The first two meetings of the ASM were conducted in the USA in 2016 and in Germany in 2018.
Understanding the Arctic Region
The Arctic region is characterized by the Arctic Ocean and parts of several countries, including Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Russia, USA (Alaska), Finland, Sweden, and Iceland. These nations form the core of the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum with its headquarters in Norway.
Highlights from the Third Arctic Science Ministerial Conference
The conference was jointly organized by Iceland and Japan. For the first time, the Ministerial meeting was held in Asia (Tokyo, Japan). Its primary objective was to provide a platform for valuable stakeholders like academics, indigenous communities, governments and policymakers to increase collective knowledge, promote continuous monitoring and strengthen observations. Under the theme of ‘Knowledge for a Sustainable Arctic’, India proposed to contribute observing systems in the Arctic using both remote sensing and in-situ methods.
India’s Role in Sustained Arctic Observational Network (SAON)
India plans to continue contributing to the Sustained Arctic Observational Network (SAON), a joint initiative of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Arctic Council. India plans to deploy open ocean mooring in the Arctic for long-term monitoring of upper ocean variables and marine meteorological parameters. The country also announced the forthcoming launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite mission, in collaboration with the USA.
NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
NISAR will globally scan the Earth every twelve days during its three-year mission. It will image the planet’s land, ice sheets, and sea ice to provide an unprecedented view of Earth. The mission aims to conduct global measurements of the causes and consequences of land surface changes using advanced radar imaging.
India’s History with the Arctic
India’s engagement with the Arctic dates back to 1920, with the signing of the Svalbard Treaty in Paris. Since July 2008, India has established a permanent research station, Himadri, at NyAlesund, Svalbard Area in Norway. India received ‘Observer’ country status in the Arctic Council in 2013, which was renewed in 2018. India is one among thirteen countries across the world, including China, to have Observer status.
India’s Current Activities in the Arctic
India has been actively conducting and promoting research in the Arctic region through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. A multi-sensor moored observatory called IndARC has been deployed in the Kongsfjorden fjord since July 2014. India recently drafted a new Arctic policy that seeks to expand scientific research, sustainable tourism, and exploration of mineral oil and gas in the Arctic region.
The Significance of Arctic Study for India
Despite not having any territory directly in the Arctic region, it holds a significant influence on the atmospheric, oceanographic and biogeochemical cycles of the earth’s ecosystem. Arctic warming and its ice melt are global concerns due to their crucial role in regulating climate, sea levels, and maintaining biodiversity. Increasing evidence points to a connection between the Arctic and the Indian Ocean, which modulates the Indian monsoon. Thus, understanding Arctic physical processes and quantifying the impact of Arctic ice melt on the Indian summer monsoon is crucial.
