What's New

Arctic Council

The increasing interest of India in Arctic Council exploration has its pros and cons. Critically examine.

Answer

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous peoples, and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic. It was formally established in 1996.

Objectives of Arctic policy:

• To strengthen national capabilities and competencies in science and exploration, climate and environmental protection, maritime and economic cooperation with the Arctic region.
• To strengthen institutional and human resource capacities within the government and academic, research and business institutions through inter-ministerial coordination in pursuit of India’s interests in the Arctic.
• To enhance understanding of the impact of climate change in the Arctic region on India’s climate, economic, and energy security.
• To promote better analysis, prediction, and coordinated policymaking on the implications of ice melting in the Arctic on India’s economic, military and strategic interests related to global shipping routes, energy security, and exploitation of mineral wealth.
• To study the linkages between polar regions and the Himalayas and deepen the cooperation between India and the countries of the Arctic region under various Arctic forums, drawing expertise from scientific and traditional knowledge.
• To increase India’s participation in the Arctic Council and improve understanding of the complex governance structures in the Arctic, relevant international laws, and geopolitics of the region.

Significance of India’s Arctic policy

• India has so far sent 13 expeditions to the Arctic since 2007 and runs 23 active science projects. About 25 institutes and universities are currently involved in Arctic research in India and close to a hundred peer-reviewed papers have been published on Arctic issues since 2007 according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
• The Arctic region is significant due to the shipping routes that run through it. According to an analysis published by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the adverse effects of the Arctic are impacting the availability of mineral and hydrocarbon resources, as well as transforming global shipping routes.
• India can also play a constructive role in securing the stable Arctic. The region holds immense geopolitical importance as the Arctic is projected to be ice-free by 2050 and world powers are making attempts to exploit the region rich in natural resources.

Concerns

• Territorial claims: As India accepted all the criteria to become an observer = it officially recognizes the territorial jurisdiction and sovereign rights of the Arctic states over continent shelf, maritime passage, and the ocean resources in the region = India cannot argue that the Arctic should be treated in the same manner as Antarctica (no territorial/sovereign claims).
• Environmental concerns: Another worrying aspect is that ecological protection, the primary reason behind the establishment of the council, has now been trumped by economic factors.

Way Forward

• India being a firm believer of equity should try for a global commons approach, and the region being treated in the same manner as Antarctica.
• India and other developing countries should put the Arctic as an important part of their agenda on climate change negotiations under UNFCCC, ensuring that the activities undertaken there do not harm the climate and people.
• The UN can establish its own Arctic body with strict norms and an effective compliance regime. India could certainly push for such a global regime without violating its role of Observer at the Arctic Council.