Identify the gaps in India’s approach to Arctic region.
India holds one of the 13 positions as the Observer in the Arctic Council. The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental body that promotes research and facilitates cooperation among Arctic countries on issues related to the environmental protection and sustainable development of the Arctic region. The relevance of Arctic for India ranges from scientific research, climate change and environment; economic & human resources to geopolitical and strategic reasons.
Gaps in India’s approach
- Lack of articulated policy : even though the Ministry of External Affairs had listed India’s interests in the Arctic as ‘scientific, environmental, commercial & strategic’, till recently, India was one among the Observer nations of the Arctic Council that had no nationally articulated Arctic policy.
- Beyond scientific orientation : India’s needs go beyond purely scientific approach in the Arctic. India needs to understand the dynamics of its geopolitics and governance.
- Inadequate funding : India’s polar research for Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean and Himalayas are budgeted under the Polar Science and Cryosphere programme of Ministry of Earth Sciences. But, India’s Antarctic programme is given 5 times more allocation than Arctic programme.
- Lack of dedicated polar research vessel is a serious impediment in the growth of India’s polar activities. In 2014, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved acquisition of PRV at Rs. 1051 crore within 34 months, which is yet to be materialized.
- Lack of nodal body : there is no nodal body to coordinate specifically all activities relating to the Arctic. Presently, the National center for Polar and Ocean Research oversees this.
- Arctic lacks awareness and has largely been ignored in India’s policy considerations.
India’s Arctic Policy titled “India’s Arctic Policy: Building a Partnership for Sustainable Development” has charted out 6 pillars – scientific research; economic and human cooperation; climate & environmental protection; transportation & connectivity; governance and international cooperation; and national capacity building.
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