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Mahesh

18/03/22 09:07 AM IST

India’s Arctic Policy

In News 
  • Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology released India's Arctic policy titled 'India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’ today from the Ministry of Earth Sciences Headquarters in New Delhi.
Features of the policy 

  • India's Arctic policy titled 'India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’ lays down six pillars: strengthening India's scientific research and cooperation, climate and environmental protection, economic and human development, transportation and connectivity, governance and international cooperation, and national capacity building in the Arctic region.
  • India's Arctic policy would play an essential role in preparing the country for a future where humankind's biggest challenges, such as climate change, can be addressed through collective will and effort.
  • India's Arctic policy shall be implemented through an action plan, and an effective governance and review mechanism involving the inter‐ministerial Empowered Arctic Policy Group.
  •  India’s engagement with the Arctic dates back to a century when ‘Svalbard Treaty’ was signed in February 1920 in Paris and, today India is undertaking several scientific studies and research in the Arctic region.
  • Indian researchers are monitoring arctic glaciers for their mass balance and comparing them with glaciers in the Himalayan region.
  • India has also been actively involved in studies related to the Arctic oceanography, atmosphere, pollution and microbiology.
  • Over twenty-five Institutes and Universities are currently involved in Arctic research in India.
  • In 2014 and 2016, India's first multi-sensor moored observatory in Kongsfjorden and the northernmost atmospheric laboratory in Gruvebadet, Ny Alesund, were launched in the Arctic region.
  • Until 2022, India has successfully conducted thirteen expeditions to the Arctic.

Role of India in Arctic Ocean 
  • India has a significant stake in the Arctic.
  • It is one of thirteen nations holding Observer status in the Arctic Council, a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.
  • India's engagement with the Arctic region has been consistent and multidimensional.
  • The country maintains that all human activity should be sustainable, responsible, transparent, and based on respect for international laws.

SOurce-PIB 

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