India’s Arctic Strategy: Bridging Research, Diplomacy and Capacity Gaps

Subject: GS 2: International Relations

Context: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, in its report “India’s Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions,” has highlighted a significant gap between India’s Arctic ambitions and its institutional, technological and financial capabilities. 

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Key Recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee

• Appoint a Polar Ambassador: Create a dedicated senior-level position to coordinate India’s polar diplomacy, engage Arctic countries and institutions, and articulate a coherent Indian position.
• Seek Greater Role in Arctic Council: Explore the possibility of full-fledged membership in the Arctic Council to enhance India’s participation in Arctic affairs.

• Expedite the Polar Research Vessel (PRV): Develop a dedicated Polar Research Vessel to strengthen India’s independent research capability.
  • India’s Arctic research is currently concentrated around Svalbard, while the absence of an indigenous PRV creates dependence on foreign partners, chartered vessels and foreign expedition schedules.
• Address the Arctic Funding Gap: India spent only ₹17.53 crore in 2024–25, less than one-tenth of Antarctica expenditure.
• Asian Observer Cooperation: Explore a quadrilateral arrangement among India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore to enhance cooperation among Asian observers of the Arctic Council.
• Shift from Science to Strategy: Move beyond a science-centric approach and incorporate geopolitics, strategy, critical minerals and resource security into India’s Arctic diplomacy.

Why the Arctic Matters to India

• Climate Security: The Arctic is warming rapidly, with changes in sea ice, snow cover, glaciers, permafrost and ocean temperatures.
  • Nearly 70% of India’s annual rainfall comes from the southwest monsoon.
  • Research by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has indicated that changes in the Arctic could increase the unpredictability of Indian summer monsoon rainfall.
• Arctic Amplification and Atlantification
  • Arctic amplification refers to the Arctic warming much faster than the global average, resulting in sea ice decline, permafrost thawing, ocean warming and ecosystem disruption.
  • Atlantification refers to the increasing penetration of warmer Atlantic water into the Arctic, contributing to ocean warming, sea ice loss, changes in marine ecosystems and fisheries, and possible disruption of ocean circulation.
• Sea Level Rise and Coastal Security: Arctic warming and melting of glaciers and ice sheets contribute to global sea level rise, threatening the Maldives, Bangladesh and India’s extensive coastline.
• Economic Significance: The region possesses substantial oil and natural gas resources. Their growing accessibility could influence India’s energy security, industrial supply chains and resource diversification.
• Northern Sea Route (NSR): The NSR has strategic relevance for India because it can reduce transportation time between Asia and Europe.

India’s Arctic Engagement: Key Milestones

• Svalbard Treaty (1920): India, as part of the British Dominion, was among the original 14 signatories of the Svalbard Treaty signed on 9 February 1920 in Paris. 
  • The treaty entitles an Indian to visit Svalbard — a Norwegian archipelago located between mainland Norway and the North Pole — without a visa and to engage in commercial ventures.
• First Arctic Scientific Expedition (2007): Marked the beginning of India’s active scientific engagement with the Arctic.
• Himadri Research Station (2008): India established Himadri in 2008 at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway, providing a permanent base for Arctic research and climate studies.
• Arctic Council Observer Status (2013): India became an Observer in the Arctic Council, allowing participation mainly through its Working Groups, though without the decision-making role of the eight Arctic States.
• India’s Arctic Policy (2022): India’s Arctic Policy is built around six major pillars:
  • Strengthening India’s scientific research and cooperation
  • Climate and environmental protection
  • Economic and human development
  • Transportation and connectivity
  • Governance and international cooperation
  • National capacity building in the Arctic region.
• NCPOR as Nodal Institution: The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under MoES coordinates India’s Arctic scientific research and expeditions.

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