India’s Arctic Policy on Arctic Regions

The Arctic Ocean, as well as its surrounding landmass, has piqued the interest of global scientists and policymakers alike and is a rising research area. The Arctic impacts the earth’s atmospheric, oceanographic, and biogeochemical cycles.

The Sea ice loss exemplifies the Arctic region’s vulnerability to unprecedented climate change, ice caps melting, and ocean and atmospheric temperature increase. It will decrease salinity levels, rising temperature disparities between land and ocean in tropical regions, drying of precipitation in the subtropical areas, and decreases in higher latitudes.

Background Information

According to information released on India’s External Affairs web page, India’s influence in the area dates back to 1920, when the “Svalbard Treaty” was signed. The document established the legal status of Spitsbergen, the archipelago’s only permanently inhabited island. After gaining independence and developing national capitalism, India expanded its regional presence. The Ministry of Ocean Development merged with the National Centre for Mid Range Weather Prediction, India Central Statistical Dept, the Earth Risk Evaluation Centre, and even the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorologists at the turn of the twentieth century. 

The Impact of These Shifts 

The likely impact of these shifts on critical areas of national growth such as economic safety, water reliability and conservation, weather patterns and rainfall trends, coastal erosion, and glacial melting has disproportionately affected India. Indian agribusiness relies heavily on the monsoons, which provide approximately 70% of the country’s annual rainfall. The rate of return of mainstay summer months crops like rice, pulses, and soya, which account for nearly half of India’s food production, is highly dependent on precipitation throughout this period.

A desirable monsoon season is crucial for India’s food safety and the well-being of its large rural sector. Shifts in the Arctic region, particularly dissolving Arctic ice, can be extremely disruptive to national development, the conservation of over 1,300 island regions and maritime features, and the well-being of 1.3 billion Indians.

The Covid-19 virus outbreak demonstrated the magnitude of disruption microbes could cause. The refreezing of permafrost soil due to global warming may also release pathogens that were dormant for centuries, increasing the likelihood of pandemics. 

The Arctic Region Missions of India

1. To strengthen India’s relationship with said Arctic region. 
2. To integrate polar investigations with the third pole.
3. Contribute to attempts to improve humanity’s awareness of the Arctic region.
4. To boost international efforts to deal with climate change and protect the environment.
5. To progress the study and understanding of the Arctic in India.

Fundamentals of the Arctic Region Policy

Six pillars support India’s arctic policy.

1) Environment and Climate Protection

Climate change is a pressing and existential global issue. Investigating the rising temperatures in the Arctic region could indeed help to improve effective responses in other sections of the globe.

2) Economic and Social Advancement

Creating robust and reliable strategies that promote liable business activities centred on the three pillars of sustainable development, economic and social, must underpin economic growth in the Arctic region.

3) Transportation and Interconnection

The building of new sea routes in the Arctic due to ice-free conditions has the potential to reshape global trade.

4) International Cooperation & Governance 

The goal is to promote Arctic security & stability in compliance with global treaties & covenants.

5) Science and Investigation

As a country engaged in scientific research, India has so much to contribute to scientific study & understanding of the Arctic. 

6) National Capacity Development

India intends to improve its capabilities and expand its capacities in the Arctic, from scientific exploration to seagoing and economic cooperation, while developing a strong human, institutional, and financial foundation to make India self-sufficient (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

Conclusion

India’s Arctic policy would be crucial in gearing up the nation for a future in which humanity’s greatest challenges, such as changing climate, could be addressed through collaborative will and effort. Multiple stakeholder groups will be involved in implementing India’s Arctic policy, including academic circles, academic researchers, businesses, and industry.

India’s interaction with the Polar region has been coherent and multifaceted, and the country believes that all human influence should be self-sufficient, responsible, transparent, and protected by international laws. The Policy is expertly integrated into the government of India’s broader policy framework. Above everything, it is inclusionary and participatory and consistent with India’s heritage ethos