| 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. |
