11 March 2025 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1)How does India’s Arctic Policy align with its broader foreign policy objectives? Broadly discuss the collaborations and agreements India is involved in with the Arctic Council. (10 marks, 150 words)

ANSWER

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous

communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic. In March 2022, the Ministry of Earth Sciences unveiled India’s Arctic Policy, titled ‘India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’. India holds one of the 13 positions as the Observer in the Arctic Council.

INTEGRATION WITH BROADER FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES:

India’s Arctic policy is intricately woven into its foreign policy framework, aiming to enhance its global standing through scientific advancements, environmental stewardship, sustainable economic growth, and strategic partnerships with Arctic nations. This integration is evident in several dimensions:

1. Scientific Research and Cooperation: India’s engagement in the Arctic Council supports its objective of advancing scientific research and understanding climate change impacts. Initiatives like Himadri research station and atmospheric laboratories demonstrate India’s commitment to contributing scientific knowledge to global efforts in research on climate and environmental protection, a key priority in its foreign policy agenda.

2. Environmental Protection: The policy emphasizes sustainable development and responsible resource management, echoing India’s stance on global environmental governance. Collaborations with Arctic countries  in areas such as pollution control and renewable energy align with India’s commitment to combating climate change.

3. International Cooperation: By participating in Arctic Council working groups and engaging with Arctic states, India enhances its diplomatic ties and influence in international fora focused on Arctic governance. This aligns with India’s broader foreign policy strategy of multilateralism and global cooperation.

4. Economic Development: India seeks to explore economic opportunities in the Arctic, particularly in energy and mineral resources. Collaborations with countries like Norway in green technology and clean industries reflect India’s efforts to integrate economic interests with sustainable development goals. India’s participation in discussions on Arctic economic opportunities underscores its strategic intent to diversify maritime trade routes and enhance connectivity.

5. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with Arctic nations, particularly with Norway, Denmark, and Finland, extend beyond scientific and environmental domains to encompass strategic partnerships in governance, connectivity, and economic resilience. These partnerships aim to bolster India’s strategic presence in the Arctic Council and reinforce its role as a responsible stakeholder in global governance frameworks.

6. Shipping Routes: The NSR offers a shorter alternative to traditional shipping routes through the Suez Canal, enhancing India’s maritime connectivity and reducing shipping costs.

7. Resource Exploration: Access to Arctic resources presents opportunities for India’s energy security and economic growth. Minerals, oil, and gas extraction could bolster India’s domestic production and reduce dependency on imports.

COLLABORATIONS AND AGREEMENTS WITHIN THE ARCTIC COUNCIL

1. India actively participates in the Arctic Council’s scientific working groups, such as the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) and the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) group. These collaborations facilitate data sharing, joint research projects, and scientific assessments critical for understanding Arctic environmental dynamics.

2. For instance, India signed the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation at the 2017 Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska. This agreement promotes international collaboration in Arctic research and data sharing, aligning with India’s scientific diplomacy objectives.

3. As a responsible stakeholder, India supports the Arctic Council’s initiatives on environmental protection and sustainable development. The Council’s frameworks, such as the Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP) and the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) group, provide platforms for India to contribute expertise in pollution control and marine conservation.

4. India’s collaboration with Norway and other Arctic states on marine pollution preparedness and response, as exemplified by the 2013 Kiruna Agreement, highlights its commitment to cooperative environmental governance in the Arctic region.

5. India’s observer status in the Arctic Council enables it to advocate for global  governance principles, including adherence to international legal frameworks like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This stance supports Arctic states’ sovereignty while promoting responsible resource management and sustainable development practices.

6. India’s recognition of Arctic states’ territorial rights and indigenous peoples’ rights, as outlined in its observer status criteria, demonstrates its alignment with Arctic governance principles and respect for indigenous communities’ traditional knowledge and rights.

EMERGING CHALLENGES:

1. The vulnerability of the Arctic to unprecedented changes in the climate is manifested by the loss of sea ice, ice caps, and warming of the ocean and atmosphere. It will lead to lowering of salinity levels, rising temperature differential between land and oceans in the tropical regions, drying of subtropical areas and increase in precipitation at higher latitudes.

2. India is particularly impacted due to the likely effect of these changes on critical aspects of national development such as economic security, water security and sustainability, weather conditions and monsoon patterns, coastal erosion and glacial melting.

3. The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the scale of disruption that can be caused by pathogens. The thawing of permafrost soil as a result of global warming could also potentially release viruses and bacteria that have been dormant for thousands of years, thereby increasing the probability of pandemics.

4. The issue of Indian engagement in the Arctic divides the country’s academic and policy communities. Opinions are split over the potential impacts of the changing climate in the Arctic on India’s economy. The concern primarily stems from mining in the region for fossil fuels, an area where India has yet to articulate a clear economic strategy.

5. China’s growing investments in the Arctic have raised concern in India. Russia’s decision to grant China expanded access to the Northern Sea Route has deepened this anxiety.

6. India’s increasing focus on the Arctic comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, fuelled by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and exacerbated by the suspension of various regional cooperative forums.

India’s Arctic Policy is timely and is likely to provide a direction to India’s policymakers on contours of India’s engagement with the region. By capitalizing on its observer status in the Arctic Council and strategic collaborations with Arctic stakeholders, India aims to balance economic gains with environmental sustainability and geopolitical influence. Looking ahead, India’s role in the Arctic Council will be pivotal in shaping international discourse on Arctic governance and sustainable development, reflecting its commitment to a balanced and inclusive global order.

Read more- MAINS MODEL QUESTION: 10th March 2025