Last week India unveiled its Arctic policy that seeks to deepen the country’s partnership with the resource-rich region. The policy, titled ‘India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’ lays down six pillars — strengthening scientific research and cooperation, climate and environmental protection, economic and human development, transportation and connectivity, governance and international cooperation, and national capacity building in the Arctic region. The policy was unveiled by Indian Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh.

The policy aims to promote the following agenda, according to the official press release.

1.  Strengthening national capabilities and competencies in science and exploration, climate and environmental protection, maritime and economic cooperation with the Arctic region.

2.  Inter-ministerial coordination in pursuit of India’s interests in the Arctic.

3.  Enhancing understanding of the impact of climate change in the Arctic region on India’s climate, economic, and energy security.

4.  Contributing 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.

5.  Studying linkages between the Polar Regions and the Himalayas.

6.  Deepen cooperation between India and countries of the Arctic region under various Arctic forums, drawing expertise from scientific and traditional knowledge.

7.  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.

The press release by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, also said, “Implementing India’s Arctic Policy shall define timelines, prioritise activities and allocate requisite resources. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the nodal institution for India’s Polar research programme, which includes Arctic studies.”

The policy document is available on the website of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It throws light on the history of India’s relationship with the region, which can be traced back to February 1920, when it signed the Svalbard treaty in Paris. In 2007, India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic. Since then, India has been able to set up an observatory in Kongsfjorden as well as an atmospheric laboratory at Gruvebadet. The Indian government hopes to build its research capabilities in the region by strengthening existing facilities, such as the Himadri Arctic station in Svalbard. It also hopes to align Indian research with international Arctic priorities. The policy further lays down plans to deploy space technology to better study the Arctic region.

India is one of the 13 countries holding the observer status in the Arctic Council since 2013, a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the region. It has consistently participated in meetings of senior Arctic officials and contributed to its six Working Groups, according to the policy.

The region holds immense geopolitical importance as the Arctic is projected to be ice-free by 2050 and world powers making a beeline to exploit the region rich in natural resources. Besides metals and minerals, the region is also known to have huge oil reserves and is expected to emerge as a key sea transport lane in the future. India maintains that all human activity in the region should be sustainable, responsible, and transparent and based on respect for international laws.

The Arctic policy aims to strengthen national capabilities and competencies in science and exploration, climate and environmental protection, maritime and economic cooperation with the Arctic region. It seeks 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.

It also hopes to enhance understanding of the impact of climate change in the Arctic region on India’s climate, economic and energy security. Another objective is 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.

The policy will also focus on the study of linkages between the 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. The policy will pursue the increase of India’s participation in the Arctic Council and help improve understanding of the complex governance structures in the Arctic, relevant international laws and geopolitics of the region.