Syllabus :GS 2/IR
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- At the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized the global significance of the Arctic and India’s growing involvement in the region.
Arctic Region
- It is a vast, diverse region spanning 24 time zones, eight countries, and three continents, with varying climatic conditions, development levels, and cultural landscapes.
- It includes both ice-free areas, like parts of Norway and Northwest Russia, and ice-covered regions, such as Alaska and Canada.
- It was once a zone of scientific cooperation and environmental protection, and is becoming a site of military and geopolitical competition due to growing global interest.
India’s Arctic strategy
- It began with a scientific focus, and has evolved since the early 2020s to incorporate broader geopolitical considerations.
- India has maintained a presence in the Arctic since 2008, with the establishment of the Himadri research station in Svalbard.
- In 2022, it formalized its ambitions through the release of an Arctic Policy.
- This shift was driven by changes in the global security environment, including deteriorating relations between Russia and the West and China’s growing Arctic cooperation with Russia.
- India’s 2022 Arctic Policy focuses on climate science, environmental protection, and sustainable development, emphasizing the Arctic’s influence on South Asia’s water security and monsoon cycles.
Why is India interested in the Arctic?
- India’s interests in the Arctic include supporting infrastructure development along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) to gain access to Arctic resources, such as gas and critical minerals, which are crucial for its growing economy.
- India also seeks to secure Russia’s commitment to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which could connect India with Russia and the Nordic-Baltic region, enhancing trade and providing an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Suggestions and Way Forward
- India’s role in the Arctic is evolving as it navigates complex geopolitical dynamics.
- India’s involvement can strengthen its global positioning and improve relations with Nordic countries.
- India should balance its Arctic interests with its position on Russia’s ongoing war efforts in Europe.
- India should strengthen ties with Europe, especially Nordic states, focusing on joint initiatives in infrastructure, digitalization, and environmental protection.
- India should adopt a more strategic Arctic approach, focusing on engagement beyond science, strengthening ties with like-minded Arctic states, and seeking a role in emerging Arctic governance forums.
Source: Air
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