Exploring India’s potential in the Arctic region

Context

• The September Arctic sea-ice is now shrinking at a rate of 12.2% per decade compared to its average extent during the period from 1981 to 2010 (NASA).

• This melting ice is also opening up access to a new trade route called the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in the Arctic, linking the Atlantic and the Pacific.

Northern Sea Route

• The NSR is being hailed as the shortest route between Europe and Asia. India’s long term approach to exploring new mega ports and new routes — not just from an economic lens, but also from a strategic and geopolitical lens — makes the NSR crucial.

• India began is the only developing nation besides China that has an Arctic research base (Himadri).

• With its vast Arctic coastline, extensive experience in Arctic navigation, and training of personnel, Russia is an obvious partner for India to explore the NSR.

• However, if India inclines towards the Russian bloc, then it would be implying support to Chinese efforts, such as the Polar Silk Road which China is building as a northern extension of its Belt and Road Initiative.

Arctic Council

• The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous Peoples, and other Arctic inhabitants.

• It addresses the concerns related to the Arctic region, including sustainable development and safeguarding the environment in the Arctic region.

• It was formally established in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration.

• The establishment was preceded by the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (June 1991), a declaration on protecting the Arctic environment.

• The eight Arctic States (whose territories fall in the Arctic region) are members of the Arctic Council.

• These are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US.

• All Arctic Council decisions require consensus of the eight Arctic States.

• The Observer status is granted to entities that support the objectives of the Arctic Council and have demonstrated capabilities, including the ability to make financial contributions.

• Observers of the Arctic Council are:

1Thirteen Countries, including India.

2Thirteen intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary organisations

3Twelve Non-governmental organisations.

• India had been given the Observer status in 2013