India’s Arctic Policy

On 17^th March, 2022, India unveiled its Arctic Policy, titled 'India and the Arctic: Building a Partnership for Sustainable Development’. The policy aims to enhance India’s cooperation with the resource-rich and rapidly transforming region.

Objectives: The policy aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Strengthening national capabilities and competencies in science and exploration, climate and environmental protection, maritime and economic cooperation with the Arctic region. Institutional and human resource capacities will be strengthened within Government and academic, research and business institutions.
• Inter-ministerial coordination in pursuit of India's interests in the Arctic.
• Enhancing understanding of the impact of climate change in the Arctic on India's climate, economic, and energy security.
• Contributing better analysis, prediction, and coordinated policymaking on the implications of ice melting in the Arctic on India's economic, military and strategic interests related to global shipping routes, energy security, and exploitation of mineral wealth.
• Studying linkages between polar regions and the Himalayas.
• Deepening cooperation between India and countries of the Arctic region under various Arctic forums, drawing expertise from scientific and traditional knowledge.
• Increasing India’s participation in the Arctic Council and improving understanding of the complex governance structures in the Arctic, relevant international laws, and geopolitics of the region.