{"id":369289,"date":"2026-08-10T19:39:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T14:09:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=369289"},"modified":"2026-08-11T11:39:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T06:09:35","slug":"indian-arctic-narrative-importance-and-way-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-arctic-narrative-importance-and-way-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"Indian Arctic Narrative – Importance and Way Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source<\/strong>: The post \u201cIndian Arctic Narrative – Importance and Way Forward\u201d <\/strong>has been created based on “Expert Explains | Why India needs a clear \u2018Arctic narrative\u2019\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express\u201d on 10 August 2026. Indian Arctic Narrative – Importance and Way Forward.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Indian<\/p>\n

UPSC Syllabus: GS-3-Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Context:<\/strong> The Arctic is no longer merely a region of scientific exploration. It is increasingly becoming a zone where climate change, geopolitics, maritime access, energy security and critical mineral supply chains<\/strong> converge. India, which released its Arctic Policy in 2022<\/strong>, has important interests in the region but faces a gap between its ambitions and capabilities.<\/p>\n

India\u2019s importance and presence in the Arctic<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. India has historical links with the Arctic. As part of the British Dominion, it was among the original 14 signatories of the 1920 Svalbard Treaty<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  2. The treaty allows Indians to visit Svalbard without a visa<\/strong> and engage in commercial activities there.<\/li>\n
  3. India has maintained a permanent scientific presence through the Himadri research station at Ny-\u00c5lesund, Svalbard<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  4. India is one of only two developing countries with a permanent scientific presence in the Arctic<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Why the Arctic matters to India<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Climate security<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. India is highly dependent on the southwest monsoon<\/strong>, with nearly 70% of annual rainfall<\/strong> coming from it.<\/li>\n
      2. Agriculture contributes around 18% of GDP<\/strong> and supports more than half of India’s population.<\/li>\n
      3. Scientific studies increasingly indicate a connection between Arctic changes and the Indian monsoon<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      4. Rapid Arctic warming and declining sea ice can affect atmospheric circulation and consequently influence rainfall, agriculture, food security and economic growth<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n
        1. Sea-level rise<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n
          1. Arctic changes contribute significantly to global sea-level rise<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
          2. Low-lying island states such as the Maldives<\/strong> face serious existential threats.<\/li>\n
          3. Parts of Bangladesh and India\u2019s coastline<\/strong> could face repeated flooding and displacement.<\/li>\n
          4. More than 250 million people in vulnerable coastal regions of South Asia<\/strong> could potentially be affected by mid-century.<\/li>\n
          5. Therefore, Arctic climate change is also an issue of India\u2019s national security<\/strong>, as climate-induced migration could create humanitarian, social and security challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n
            1. Geopolitical importance<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \n
              1. Two of India\u2019s important strategic partners, the US and Russia<\/strong>, are Arctic states.<\/li>\n
              2. China<\/strong>, despite being an extra-regional country, has invested heavily in Arctic infrastructure, research and shipping.<\/li>\n
              3. The Arctic is becoming increasingly important for maritime access, energy security and critical mineral supply chains<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
              4. India also has friendly relations with the other Arctic countries.<\/li>\n
              5. The India-Nordic Summit<\/strong> has strengthened cooperation with Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland, while relations with Canada have also improved.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Major gaps in India\u2019s Arctic engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n
                  \n
                1. Lack of a clear Arctic narrative<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    \n
                  1. India\u2019s Arctic engagement has traditionally focused mainly on scientific research.<\/li>\n
                  2. However, its interests now extend to climate security, geopolitics, maritime access, energy and resources<\/strong>. India needs a coherent whole-of-government Arctic approach.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      \n
                    1. Fragmented institutional structure<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        \n
                      1. Arctic affairs are divided among different divisions of the Ministry of External Affairs<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                      2. The eight Arctic states and Arctic Council-related matters are handled by four different territorial and functional divisions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                      3. This makes coordinated and consistent Arctic diplomacy difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          \n
                        1. Absence of a Polar Ambassador<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                            \n
                          1. India does not have a dedicated senior official for Arctic affairs.<\/li>\n
                          2. All Arctic states have dedicated Arctic ambassadors, while several observer states also have similar arrangements.<\/li>\n
                          3. A Polar Ambassador<\/strong> could coordinate inter-ministerial efforts, engage Arctic governments and institutions, and develop a consistent Indian position on Arctic governance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              \n
                            1. Lack of a dedicated Polar Research Vessel<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                \n
                              1. India\u2019s Arctic scientific presence remains largely concentrated around Svalbard<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                              2. Without an ice-class research vessel, access to the wider Arctic Ocean depends on foreign partners and chartered vessels.<\/li>\n
                              3. Chartering creates problems related to vessel availability, research priorities and continuity of long-term observations.<\/li>\n
                              4. Although a Polar Research Vessel was sanctioned by the Union Cabinet in 2014<\/strong>, it remains on the drawing board.<\/li>\n
                              5. The current plan envisages an indigenous vessel only towards the end of this decade<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                  \n
                                1. Limited funding<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                    \n
                                  1. India spent only Rs 17.53 crore on Arctic activities in 2024-25<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                  2. This was less than one-tenth of its expenditure on Antarctica.<\/li>\n
                                  3. Such limited funding does not match the Arctic\u2019s growing importance for India\u2019s climate, coastline and geopolitical interests<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                    Way forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n
                                      \n
                                    1. Appoint a dedicated Polar Ambassador<\/strong> to ensure coordinated and sustained Arctic diplomacy.<\/li>\n
                                    2. Develop a whole-of-government Arctic strategy<\/strong> linking science with climate security, diplomacy, maritime interests, energy security and critical minerals.<\/li>\n
                                    3. Accelerate the Polar Research Vessel project<\/strong> to enable India to undertake meaningful pan-Arctic research independently.<\/li>\n
                                    4. As an interim measure, India could consider acquiring or chartering an existing ice-capable vessel, similar to China\u2019s acquisition of the Ukrainian icebreaker that became Xuelong (Snow Dragon)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                    5. Increase funding for Arctic research and activities<\/strong> to bring investment in line with India\u2019s strategic interests.<\/li>\n
                                    6. Use India\u2019s good relations with the Arctic nations<\/strong> to deepen cooperation in science, climate, technology and Arctic governance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                      Conclusion: <\/strong>The Arctic Policy of 2022<\/strong> provided India with a policy framework, while the Parliamentary Standing Committee has highlighted the major institutional, financial and capability gaps. India must now move from policy to capability<\/strong>. A coherent Arctic narrative, dedicated institutional leadership, adequate funding and independent research capabilities will help India protect its climate, economic and strategic interests in a rapidly changing Arctic region.<\/p>\n

                                      Question:<\/strong> India\u2019s engagement with the Arctic needs to move beyond scientific exploration towards a comprehensive strategic approach. Discuss the major challenges and suggest measures to strengthen India\u2019s Arctic narrative.<\/p>\n

                                      Source: I<\/strong>ndian Express<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                      Source: The post \u201cIndian Arctic Narrative – Importance and Way Forward\u201d has been created based on “Expert Explains | Why India needs a clear \u2018Arctic narrative\u2019\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express\u201d on 10 August 2026. Indian Arctic Narrative – Importance and Way Forward. UPSC Syllabus: GS-3-Environment Context: The Arctic is no longer merely a region of… Continue reading Indian Arctic Narrative – Importance and Way Forward<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":369360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230],"tags":[59,216,10500],"class_list":["post-369289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","tag-environment","tag-gs-paper-3","tag-indian-express","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Indian-Arctic-Narrative-Importance-and-Way-Forward.png?fit=1280%2C850&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=369289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369289\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/369360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=369289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=369289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=369289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}