Published on 23 Feb 2025
The Arctic, encompassing the land and ocean around the North Pole, is Earth's northernmost, coldest, and least populated region. Characterized by sea ice and frozen tundra, it's home to unique wildlife and indigenous peoples.
Significance of Arctic Region (To India)
Resource Wealth Revealed: Melting ice unlocks previously inaccessible riches. The Arctic is estimated to hold vast reserves of:
Oil and Gas: An estimated 30% of the world's undiscovered natural gas lies beneath the Arctic seabed.
Significance for India: As a major energy importer, India seeks to diversify its energy sources, and the Arctic could potentially offer new options.
Minerals: The region boasts substantial deposits of coal, diamonds, rare earth elements (critical for clean energy technologies) – with Greenland alone possessing a quarter of the world's reserves – and other valuable minerals.
Significance for India: India's growing economy relies heavily on mineral imports, and the Arctic could be a future source of critical resources, especially rare earth elements.
Fish Stocks: The receding ice opens up new fishing grounds, impacting global food security.
Significance for India: India has a large and growing population to feed, and access to new fish stocks could be beneficial.
The Emergence of New Shipping Lanes: The receding ice creates shorter shipping routes, like the Northern Sea Route (NSR) which could be 30-40% shorter than traditional routes using the Suez Canal. This economic opportunity leads to:
Sovereignty and Control: Arctic nations like Canada, Russia, Denmark, and Norway have asserted territorial claims, with some claims overlapping and leading to disputes like the ongoing disagreement between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island.
Significance for India: A more accessible Arctic with operational shipping routes could reduce transportation costs for Indian trade with Europe.
The Evolving Arctic Council: The Arctic Council, originally for Arctic nations, now includes non-Arctic observers like India:
Significance for India: India's observer status in the Arctic Council allows it to participate in discussions and influence decisions related to the Arctic's future, even though it is not an Arctic nation.
Indigenous Rights: Around 4 million people inhabit the Arctic, with roughly 500,000 belonging to indigenous populations like the Inuit and Sami. Their rights and interests need to be considered when making decisions about the Arctic's future.
Significance for India: While not directly related to India, respecting indigenous rights is a principle India generally supports in international forums.
Environmental Concerns: Arctic sea ice acts as a giant reflective surface, deflecting sunlight back into space and helping regulate global temperatures. As the ice melts, the Earth absorbs more heat, accelerating climate change.
Significance for India: A rapidly changing Arctic will significantly influence the global climate, and India has a vested interest in promoting sustainable practices in the region.
India's Approach to the Arctic
Policy and Participation:
Unveiled its Arctic Policy in 2022, focusing on sustainable development.
Observer status in the Arctic Council and International Arctic Science Committee.
Signatory to the Svalbard Treaty.
Scientific Research:
Established research station 'Himadri' in Svalbard, Norway.
Deployed observatories and laboratories to study glaciers, atmosphere, and oceanography and conducts research on climate change, pollution, and microbiology.
India advocates for consensus-based decision making and a multi-tier governance structure. Supports a comprehensive framework for the Arctic region, prioritizing sustainability and emphasizes scientific research and data sharing among all interested parties.
Geography
Artic Region
Significance of Arctic Region To India
India's Approach to the Arctic
General Studies Paper 1
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