India’s Arctic Expedition: Exploring New Frontiers

#### GS1/ GS2 Paper

Syllabus: Economic Geography/ Multilateral Treaties

Source:

Context: India recently concluded its first winter expedition to the Arctic in March 2024, marking a significant milestone in its Arctic exploration endeavours.

What is an expedition?

An expedition is a journey undertaken for a specific purpose, often involving exploration, scientific research, or achieving a particular goal. It typically involves travel to remote or unfamiliar areas, often with a team of individuals equipped for the challenges of the journey. Expeditions can vary widely in scope, ranging from scientific expeditions to mountaineering expeditions to polar explorations.

The expedition, undertaken by four Indian climate scientists, involved rigorous acclimatization and living in extremely cold conditions, including the challenging period of polar nights with no sunlight.

India’s engagement in the Arctic:

• India’s engagement with the Arctic began when it signed the Svalbard Treatyin February 1920 in Paris between Norway, the US, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Ireland, and the British overseas Dominions and Sweden concerning Spitsbergen. Ever since then, India has been closely monitoring all the developments in the Arctic region.

• India initiated its Arctic research program in 2007 with a focus on climate change in the region.

• The objectives included studying teleconnections between the Arctic climate and the Indian monsoon, to characterize sea ice in the Arctic using satellite data, and to estimate the effect on global warming.

• India has set up a research station Himadri at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in 2008

• In May 2013, India became an observer state of the Arctic Councilalong with five others including China.

• India launched its inaugural multi-sensor moored observatoryand northernmost atmospheric laboratory in 2014 and 2016 respectively

• Till last year, thirteen expeditions to the Arctic were successfully conducted.

Significance of the Arctic region significant to India:

Key Reasons | Significance of the Arctic Region for India

Climate Impact | Though none of India’s territory directly falls in the Arctic region, it is a crucial area as the Arctic influences atmospheric, oceanographic and biogeochemical cycles of the earth’s ecosystem.

Establishing research bases and observing Arctic ice systems and glaciers are crucial components of India’s research on Monsoon

Natural Resources | The region holds vast unexplored hydrocarbon reserves and valuable minerals, contributing to India’s resource needs.

Economic Development | India aims to utilize Arctic Sea routes, particularly the Northern Sea Route, to facilitate Indian trade.

Historical Engagement | India’s connection dates back to the Svalbard Treaty in 1920, with ongoing scientific studies and Arctic Council participation.

Global Influence | By engaging in Arctic affairs, India can assert its global presence and contribute to discussions on climate change and resource management.

China’s investments in the Arctic and Russia’s collaboration with China in granting access to the Northern Sea Route have raised concerns in India

Challenges posed by Arctic Region:

• Arctic Amplification: Rapid warming in the Arctic, known as Arctic amplification, surpasses global warming rates. Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases like carbon and methane, accelerating ice melt and further warming.

• Rising Sea Level Concern: Melting Arctic ice contributes to rising sea levels, exacerbating coastal erosion and storm surges. India, with its extensive coastline and port cities, faces significant risks from sea level rise, which exceeds the global average rate along its shores.

• Emerging geopolitical Race: The opening of Arctic shipping routes has intensified geopolitical competition among major powers like the US, China, and Russia.

• Threat to Biodiversity: Arctic warming threatens biodiversity, impacting animal life, plants, and birds dependent on sea ice. Polar bears, in particular, face habitat loss, while shifting fish populations disrupt the Arctic food web. Environmental changes, including storms and wildfires, further endanger Arctic ecosystems, such as tundra habitats.

Last Year, India released its Arctic Policy, with the aim of enhancing the country’s cooperation with the resource-rich and rapidly transforming region.

Suggestions for India:

• Collaborate with Norway for Arctic research, to enhance research capabilities and knowledge sharing in the Arctic region

• Align with Arctic nations on green initiatives: Foster cooperation with Arctic countries, particularly Denmark and Finland, to promote green energy, sustainable industries, and environmental conservation efforts.

• Promote sustainable resource extraction: Advocate for responsible and sustainable practices in resource extraction in the Arctic.

• Ensure policy coherence with the Arctic Council: Ensure that India’s Arctic policy aligns with the objectives and principles of the Arctic Council.

• Establish a dedicated nodal body: Create a specialized agency or department within the Indian government to oversee Arctic research, development, and coordination.

• Expand beyond scientific focus: Broaden India’s approach to the Arctic beyond scientific research. Advocate for the rights of Arctic indigenous communities and integrate their perspectives into policymaking processes.

• Advocate for a global ocean treaty: Support international efforts to establish a comprehensive global ocean governance framework, with a focus on addressing the unique challenges posed by the Arctic region.

Insta Link:

• What is happening to Arctic Sea ice?

Mains Link:

How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain. (2021)

What are the economic significances of the discovery of oil in the Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences? (2015)

Prelims Link:

The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of (USPC 2015)

(a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into the Indian Defence

(b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of the Indian Ocean Rim

(d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

Ans: D