NEW DELHI: India is among 13 nations holding Observer status in the Arctic Council- a high-level inter-governmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic government and indigenous people of the region. The Government of India released its Arctic policy titled ‘India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’ on March 17. The document discusses six pillars: Scaling up India’s scientific research and development; protecting environment and climate; developing economic and human resources; transportation and connectivity; governance and cooperating with international institutions; and capacity building on a national level in the arctic region.
The policy focuses on the promotion of the following agendas:
1. Building relevant national capacities and competent authorities for science and exploration, climate and environmental protection, and maritime and economic cooperation with the arctic region.
2. Inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination in pursuing Arctic interests of India.
3. Increase the emphasis on information distribution to the public regarding the impact of climate change in Arctic region on climate, economy and energy security of India to enhance public awareness.
4. Providing better analysis, prediction and coordinated policymaking on the direct implications of ice melting in Arctic on India’s economy, military and strategic interests related to energy security, global shipping routes, and exploitation of mineral wealth.
5. Analysing any linkages between the Himalayas and polar regions.
6. Deepening cooperation between countries of Arctic region and India through various Arctic forums.
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.
A release by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India said that ‘Implementing India’s Arctic Policy’ will help in defining timelines, prioritising activities and allocating requisite resources to relevant authorities. The nodal institution for India’s Polar research is National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The policy document is available on the website of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.