India and the Arctic: From Scientific Presence to Strategic Engagement

Syllabus: GS3/Science & Technology

Context

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs recently released its report ‘India’s Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions’, reviewing India’s polar engagement and highlighting major capability gaps in the Arctic.

About India’s Arctic Engagement: Past & Present

• India’s Arctic engagement has historically centred on scientific research and climate studies, but the region is now acquiring wider strategic, economic and geopolitical significance.
• India’s engagement dates back to the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, under which Indians have rights to access Svalbard and undertake commercial activities, subject to the treaty’s provisions. 
• India established its permanent Arctic research station Himadri at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in 2008.
  • India became an Observer in the Arctic Council in 2013.
• Today, Indian institutions undertake research on climate change, atmospheric science, glaciology, marine ecosystems and polar biology.
  • However, India’s presence remains concentrated around Svalbard and is constrained by limited infrastructure and funding.

India’s Arctic Policy, 2022

• It provides a broad framework for engagement. Its key objectives include:
  • Enhance scientific research and monitoring.
  • Understanding Arctic Climate Processes and their Impact on India
  • Fostering economic and human development with due regard for environmental sustainability.
  • Strengthen collaboration with Arctic countries.
  • Strengthening India’s role in Arctic governance.
  • Developing national capacity in polar research and logistics.
• The Parliamentary Committee has effectively highlighted the need to translate this policy framework into institutional and material capabilities.

India’s Arctic Credentials

• India possesses several important credentials:
  • Signatory to the Svalbard Treaty, 1920.
  • Permanent research station Himadri at Svalbard.
  • Research vessel Sagar Kanya and other maritime scientific capabilities have supported polar research.
  • National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) coordinates India’s polar programmes.
  • India has maintained diplomatic and scientific cooperation with Arctic states and participated in Arctic Council activities as an Observer.

Global Efforts & Engagements

• The Arctic is increasingly shaped by the interests of Russia, the US, Canada and the Nordic countries, while China has expanded its presence despite being a non-Arctic state.
• China refers to itself as a ‘near-Arctic state’ and has invested in polar research, infrastructure and shipping.
• The Arctic Council is the principal forum for cooperation on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection, but geopolitical conflicts have hindered cooperation.
• For India, contact with Russia, the US and Nordic nations, and involvement in Arctic scientific and governance processes, give opportunities to balance strategic and developmental goals.

Significance for the World and India

• Climate Security: The warming Arctic has global climate consequences. The emerging research relates Arctic sea-ice variability with South Asian monsoon activity.
  • The consequences of Arctic changes for food and livelihood security are important in light of the considerable dependence of agriculture and livelihoods in India on monsoon rainfall.
• Sea-Level Rise: Melting Arctic ice adds to global sea-level changes, threatening low-lying coastal areas and island nations.
  • For India, this has ramifications for its coastal population, infrastructure, ecosystems and disaster management.
• Strategic and Economic Importance: Opening maritime channels, especially the Northern Sea Route, could alter global shipping patterns.
  • The Arctic has a wealth of energy and critical minerals and will become more important in future supply chains.
• Geopolitical Importance: Growing global involvement is making the Arctic a new theatre for geopolitical rivalry.
  • India therefore needs to see the region through both climate-security and geopolitical lenses.

Related Concerns & Issues

• Institutional Fragmentation: Arctic responsibilities are dispersed throughout various divisions of the Ministry of External Affairs.
• No Dedicated Arctic Envoy: India does not have a senior official solely responsible for polar diplomacy.
• Poor Research Infrastructure: India lacks a specialised Polar Research Vessel (PRV) of its own.
• Resource Crunch: The Committee observed that India allocated just roughly ₹17.53 crore for Arctic operations in 2024-25, highlighting a discrepancy between stated aspirations and budgetary provisions.
• Limited Pan-Arctic Access: Reliance on foreign boats and partnerships limits prolonged research outside of Svalbard.
• Geopolitical Uncertainty: Tensions between Russia and the West, and increasingly fierce strategic competition, hamper collaboration in the Arctic.

Way Forward

• Appoint a Polar Ambassador/Special Envoy to head India’s Arctic diplomacy and guarantee a whole-of-government approach.
• Expedite the Polar Research Vessel and consider an interim acquisition/chartering strategy to expand operational access.
• Increase dedicated funding for Arctic research, logistics, satellite monitoring and climate modelling.
• Strengthen collaboration with Nordic countries, Russia, the US and other Arctic stakeholders.
• Integrate Arctic observations into Indian monsoon prediction, coastal development, and climate-risk assessment.
• Develop knowledge in arctic shipping, vital minerals, governance of the ocean and Arctic technologies.
• Scientific collaboration, environmental sustainability and strategic interests.

Source: IE