Parliamentary Panel Recommends ‘Polar Ambassador’ for India, become full member of Arctic Council

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs has recommended that India appoint a ‘Polar Ambassador’ and seek full-fledged membership of the Arctic Council to strengthen its engagement with the polar regions and pursue a more effective polar diplomacy.

Key Recommendations:

• Polar Ambassador: The committee recommended creating a dedicated Polar Ambassador position to coordinate India’s interests in the Arctic and Antarctic and project the importance of polar regions in India’s foreign policy.
• Greater role in Arctic Council: India is currently one of the 13 observer countries in the Arctic Council. The Council has 8 Arctic states as members.
  • Observer countries do not have decision-making powers.
  • India has therefore sought greater participation in Arctic affairs.
• Russia’s role: The committee urged India to use diplomatic channels to encourage the seven other Arctic states to keep Russia involved in scientific research in the region.
  • Disruption of Russian research activities following the Russia-Ukraine conflict has affected Arctic scientific cooperation.
  • The committee also suggested exploring access to Russian Arctic research stations.
• Global South: India should strengthen its role as a representative of the Global South in Arctic discussions, particularly on issues such as climate change and equitable access to resources.
• Cooperation among Asian observers: The committee suggested greater cooperation among Asian observer countries through a possible quadrilateral arrangement involving India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
• Expand Arctic policy: India’s Arctic policy should move beyond a predominantly science-oriented approach and incorporate geopolitical and strategic considerations.
• Critical minerals: The committee highlighted the importance of Arctic mineral resources, including minerals used in active pharmaceutical ingredients, air-conditioning components and other critical technologies, as an emerging area of diplomatic engagement.

Why is the Arctic Important for India?

• Climate: Changes in the Arctic have implications for global climate systems and can influence the Indian monsoon and sea levels.
• Geopolitics: The region is becoming increasingly important amid growing competition among major powers.
• Resources: The Arctic contains significant reserves of hydrocarbons and critical minerals.
• Connectivity: Emerging Arctic shipping routes could influence future global trade and maritime connectivity.
• Scientific research: Arctic changes provide important insights into global warming, glaciers, oceans and atmospheric processes.

About Arctic Council

• The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous Peoples and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues.
• It was formally established in 1996. All Arctic Council decisions and statements require consensus of the eight Arctic States.
• The Ottawa Declaration defines these states as Members of the Arctic Council. The eight States have territories within the Arctic and thus carry the role of stewards of the region.
• These eight states are; Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

Sources: Indian Express and Arctic Council

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