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India's Polar Diplomacy, as the name suggests, refers to managing relations between different countries within the context of the Arctic (North Pole) and Antarctic (South Pole area). These regions are unique, as no country or bloc has ownership of these regions. At the same time, it is important to note that the Polar regions play a pivotal role in regulating the Earth’s climate and providing natural resources while also having geopolitical importance.
Illustration by The Geostrata
Hence, all countries collaborating while claiming no ownership for the greater good are seen. In this case, we are going to take the route of understanding India’s history and current developments in the region, India’s participation in Global Polar Governance and its strategic and economic interest.
INDIA’S HISTORY AND CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS: ANTARCTIC & ARCTIC REGION
India established its first research centre called Dakshin Gangotri in 1983 for scientific research.
However, in 1989 the station was decommissioned due to excessive snow accumulation and shifting of ice. This led to the creation of Maitri. Maitri is located in the Schirmacher Oasis, Maitri was opened in 1989.
Maitri is mainly used for meeting India’s scientific research needs for glaciology, geology and atmospheric science.
Maitri has helped scientists understand climate change, ice-sheet stability, and ice melt patterns, which are essential for assessing global climate impacts.
The Government of India in May announced the new research station in Antarctica will be completed by January 2029. The modern research station in East Antarctica was inaugurated in 2012 to research oceanography and environmental science and was stationed in a location with minimal shift in ice.
Himadri is India’s first research station located at the International Arctic Research base in NyÅlesund, Svalbard, Norway.
Commissioned in 2008, the station specialises in atmospheric, biological, marine and earth sciences and glaciological studies with the Arctic context.
INDIA NOW
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) which is under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the central body for polar research in India.
In December 2024, NCPOR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UAE’s Emirates Polar Mission Steering Committee to intensify the nations’ presence at the poles and drive joint collaborations in polar and oceanic operations. 2022 was a year for the Polar regions.
India announced the India Arctic Policy and passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022. The policy aims to strengthen the country’s scientific capability, improve understanding of the impacts of climate change, better analyse and predict ice melt for policy development, and deepen cooperation between India and Arctic countries region while increasing participation in the Arctic council.
The Bill, on the other hand, aims to comply with the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
Its mission is to protect the Antarctic environment and monitor activities conducted in the region.
The six pillars of the India Arctic Policy are to enhance scientific research in the Arctic region, mitigate climate change, strengthen international cooperation on economic and human interests, transportation and connectivity, geostrategic interests and self-reliance in nation building.
In science and research element India aims to increase its contribution to the study of the polar regions by extensively using the Himadri research base, engage in internationally relevant and bilateral and multilateral research projects and discussions with the Arctic context and participate in the Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure Cooperative Framework to contribute and access data.
As a member of the Paris Agreement and other international treaties, India actively battles climate change while achieving UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A more active engagement with Arctic Council Working Groups to promote exchange of knowledge and environmental solutions is being pursued. The Arctic is one of the world’s unexplored prospective areas for minerals useful for development. India aims to build healthy and stronger relations with Arctic states to adopt sustainable living and non-living resources in the region. These policies will enable India to pursue structured and sustainable growth in polar regions.
INDIA’S PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL POLAR GOVERNANCE - ANTARCTIC REGION
India has positioned itself as an active player in the global governance overseeing the Arctic and Antarctica.
India has been a Consultative Party since 1983 in the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS).
India hosted the 10th Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) conference for the first time with the agenda “Antarctica in a Changing World”, in 2022.
The 43rd Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) voyage departs in December 2023 with participants from Bangladesh and Mauritius. This is a testament to India's collaborative ability to make change while dealing with global challenges.
To show a continuing interest in the region, India hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) at Kochi in May 2024. This meeting emphasised the possible problems due to the growing tourism to the region on the continent’s fragile ecosystem.
The BRICS Working Group on Ocean and Polar Science has India constantly collaborating with Russia, Brazil, China, and South Africa to ensure scientific transparency and collaboration in the field of polar research.
The joint statement at the 6th meeting in June 2024 highlights the education and training strategy, updated primary research, joint research project proposals and collaboration with new member states.
ARCTIC REGION
India achieved observer status in the Arctic Council during the 2013 Kiruna Ministerial meeting.
India's status as a non-Arctic country and membership in the Arctic Council are testaments to its interest in the region’s environmental and geopolitical dynamics.
This membership, along with Himadri, promotes partnerships with Arctic countries and contributes to research on the Arctic’s impact on global climate patterns.
In 2020, India and Denmark signed a Green Strategic Partnership for research and collaboration within the Arctic Council to combat climate change. The Arctic Policy 2022 reflects India's commitment to building a better world.
STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POLAR REGION
Since the 2010s, the Northern Sea Route (NSR) has been considered as the new trade route that will replace the traditional Suez Canal trade route.
Due to the lack of ice-breaking ships, Russia seeks to collaborate with India and China to develop this route.
During the Bilateral summit in July 2024, Russia and India signed MoUs that would pave the way for the development of the NSR. Similarly, China has also built its own version of the NSR, the Polar Silk Route (PSR), inaugurated in 2017.
Hence the development of NSR and bilateral economic relations with Russia on these matters are crucial. The developmental, expansive and invasive nature of the PSR are cause for concern. India and NSR are important trade routes.
The Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Sea Corridor is estimated to reduce India-Europe travel time by two weeks.
Shorter routes will reduce transportation costs, and time while increasing India’s efficiency of export and import trade. The Suez Canal crisis in 2021 was a wake-up call to the world to look and invest in trade routes outside the existing ones to reduce dependency and foster flexibility in global trade.
The Arctic region is also a reservoir of oil and energy. India’s greater presence in the region and amongst nations with reservoirs will ensure energy security in the future.
India is one of the largest energy consumers with imports from the Middle East. Access to Arctic oil and gas can help diversify India’s supply sources, reducing its reliance on any single region and enhancing resilience against supply disruptions.
Looking at India in the Arctic region geopolitically, the steps in improving the polar presence of India will give India a foothold in the Polar but also strengthen its political ties with major resource-holding nations. This will aid in reducing external dependencies and strengthen economic resilience.
CONCLUSION
India’s proactive role in polar diplomacy highlights its commitment to addressing global climate challenges, enhancing energy security, and fostering strategic alliances.
By embracing a syncretic and inclusive foreign policy, India seeks to harmonise diverse global interests while promoting mutual respect and cooperation in the polar regions.
Scientific research, collaboration and policymaking India is strengthening its presence in the Arctic and Antarctic region. India is positioning itself as a responsible stakeholder and valuable contributor to making the world a better place.
BY ARCHIT DAS
TEAM GEOSTRATA
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