INDIA'S ARCTIC POLICY
Roadmap For Sustainable Engagement
1.1 Arctic - significance for India
1.2 India and the Arctic – a history of cooperation
1.3 Government of India and the Arctic
1.4 Pillars of the Policy
2.0 Science and Research Activities
2.1 Science
2.2 Objectives (Science)
2.3 Climate change and Environment
2.4 Objectives (Climate change and Environment)
2.5 Space Technology
2.6 Objectives (Space Technology)
3.0 Economic and Human Development Cooperation
3.1 Energy, Mineral and Other Resources
3.2 Objectives (Resources)
3.3 Human Development
3.4 Objectives (Human Development)
4.0 Transportation and Connectivity
4.1 Objectives (Transportation and Connectivity)
5.0 Governance and International Cooperation
5.1 Objectives (Governance and International Cooperation)
6.0 National Capacity Building
6.1 Objectives (Capacity Building)
7.0 Conclusion and Implementation
INDIA'S ARCTIC MISSION
To contribute to international efforts to enhance humankind's understanding of the Arctic region in India's capacity as an Observer State to the Arctic Council.
To enhance sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and the Arctic.
To strengthen efforts against global warming.
To better understand the scientific and climate related linkages between the Arctic and the Indian monsoons.
To harmonise polar research with the third pole—the Himalayas.
To advance the study and understanding of the Arctic within India.
The Arctic is commonly understood to refer to the region above the Arctic Circle, north of latitude 66° 34' N, which includes the Arctic Ocean with the North Pole at its centre. Much of this Ocean falls within the jurisdiction of five Arctic littoral states—Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Russia and the USA (Alaska). Three other Arctic nations, Finland, Sweden and Iceland along with the five littorals form the Arctic Council. The Arctic is home to almost four million inhabitants, of which approximately one-tenth are considered as indigenous people.
The Arctic Ocean and its surrounding landmasses have been a topic of immense interest and a high priority area of research among the global scientific fraternity as well as of importance to policy makers. The Arctic influences atmospheric, oceanographic and biogeochemical cycles of the earth's ecosystem.
The vulnerability of the Arctic to unprecedented changes in the climate is manifested by the loss of sea ice, ice caps, and warming of the ocean and atmosphere. It will lead to lowering of salinity levels, rising temperature differential between land and oceans in the tropical regions, drying of subtropical areas and increase in precipitation at higher latitudes.
The potential threat to biodiversity and its impact remains in the Arctic, but it is intricately connected with the subtropics and even the tropics ecosystems.
India is particularly impacted due to the likely effect of these changes on critical aspects of national development, economic security, water security and sustainability, weather conditions and monsoon patterns, coastal erosion and glacial melting. Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on the monsoons. It receives around seventy per cent of its annual rainfall during this season. The yield of staple summer crops such as rice, pulses and soybeans, which account for almost fifty per cent of India's food output, are dependent upon the precipitation during this period. A good monsoon is critical for India's food security and the wellbeing of its vast rural sector. Changes in the Arctic and global ecosystem induced by melting Arctic ice, can thus be highly disruptive for India.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us the scale of disruption that can be caused by pathogens. Climate change induced melting of ice bears similar portents. The thawing of permafrost soil could potentially release viruses and bacteria that have lain dormant for thousands of years, thereby increasing the propensity of pandemics.
There are several synergies between polar studies and the study of the Himalayas. Arctic research will help India's scientific community to study melting rates of the third pole - the Himalayan glaciers, which are endowed with the largest freshwater reserves in the world outside the geographic poles.
1.2 India And The Arctic - A History Of Cooperation
India's engagement with the Arctic began in February 1920, when it signed the Svalbard Treaty in Paris. Its polar research experience began in 1981 when the first scientific expedition to Antarctica was undertaken. India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic in 2007. The objective of the expedition was to initiate a series of baseline measurements in biological sciences, ocean and atmospheric sciences and glaciology. Subsequently, the Indian research station 'Himadri' in the international Arctic research base at Ny-Ålesund in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway was dedicated to the Nation in 2008.
IndArc, the country's first multi-sensor moored observatory was deployed in Kongsfjorden in 2014. In 2016, India's northernmost atmospheric laboratory was established at Gruvebadet. The laboratory is equipped with several instruments that can study clouds, precipitation, long-range pollutants, and other background atmospheric parameters. Indian researchers are also monitoring arctic glaciers for their mass balance, comparing them with glaciers in the Himalayan region. All these bear testimony to the technical competence and commitment of India's scientists towards understanding the Arctic.
India's association with the Arctic is part of its overall polar programme which includes activities in the Arctic, Antarctic, Southern Ocean and the Himalayas. India's scientific engagement with the Antarctic has grown manifold during the last four decades. India is a part of the Antarctic Treaty System, Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs and Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
In the Arctic, India is a member of the Ny- Ålesund Science Managers Committee (Ny SMAC), the International Arctic Science Committee, University of Arctic and Asian Forum for Polar Sciences. India plays an important role in all international issues and observations concerning the Arctic. India is determined to scale up its Arctic engagement to even greater levels.
India's focus on cryospheric research has assisted in increasing the understanding of the Arctic. India has also been actively involved in the Arctic oceanographic, atmospheric, pollutant and microbiology related studies. Over twenty-five Institutes and Universities are currently involved in Arctic research in India. About a hundred peer-reviewed papers have been published on Arctic issues since 2007.
India's Arctic station Himadri is presently manned for about 180 days a year. Since its establishment, over three hundred Indian researchers have worked in the station. India has sent thirteen expeditions to the Arctic since 2007 and runs twenty-three active projects. With participation in the Svalbard coastal cruise and in several other international expeditions, India's engagement in the Arctic has significantly risen in recent times.
Since becoming an Observer nation in the Arctic Council in 2013, India has been participating in meetings of Senior Arctic Officials and of the sub-groups—Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme; the Arctic Contaminants Action Programme and more. India has also participated in the Arctic Energy Summit, Arctic Science Ministerial and meetings of Task Forces.
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, is the nodal agency for India's Polar research programme, which includes Arctic studies. The Ministry of External Affairs provides the external interface to the Arctic Council. Several other ministries and institutes are also involved in Arctic activities and are poised to deepen their engagement in the future. These include the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Space, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Shipping Ports & Waterways, Ministry of Mines, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare , Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Defence Research and Development Organisation and Department of Biotechnology.
India's Arctic policy will rest on five pillars:
Economic and human development cooperation
Transportation and connectivity
Governance and international cooperation
National capacity building
2.0 SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
As a country that has been involved in scientific research in the Arctic, Antarctic and the Himalayas for several decades, India has much to contribute to the scientific study and understanding of the Arctic. India will further strengthen its capabilities in the area of scientific research and build partnerships and bridges of cooperation with research institutions across the globe. It will actively participate in global research projects, science-policy dialogues and decision-making processes. India has so far implemented projects in diverse areas under the following Working Groups/Programmes of the Arctic Council: -
Arctic Contaminants Action Programme;
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme;
Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Programme.
2.2. Objectives (Science)
Strengthen the existing research base at Himadri in Ny-Ålesund, Norway with enhanced observations and diverse instrumentation, maintain year-round presence and establish additional research stations in the Arctic and other observer nations.
Align activities conducted at the atmospheric laboratory at Himadri, in Ny-Alesund, as well as at the multi-sensor oceanographic subsurface mooring station in Kongsfjorden, with Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System and Sustaining Arctic Observation Networks, a joint initiative of the Arctic Council and the International Arctic Science Committee.
Acquire a dedicated ice-class Polar Research Vessel, and build indigenous capabilities for construction of such vessels.
Channelise and harness existing expertise from polar research in disciplines such as atmospheric and ocean science, glaciology, marine ecosystem including fisheries, geology and geophysics, geoengineering, polar infrastructure, cold biology, ecology, biodiversity and microbial diversity studies for advancement of Arctic studies.
Participate in the Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure Cooperative Framework for accessing and contributing data to the Arctic SDI.
Set up dedicated institutional funding support for Arctic research at the national level. Create funding channels for international collaborations and private-public sector joint projects.
Develop bilateral and multilateral projects with Arctic nations under various Arctic forums drawing expertise from scientific and traditional knowledge.
Increase participation in the scientific activities of Arctic Council's Working Groups and Task Forces. Collaborate in circumpolar projects of the Council, such as Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative and the Expert Group on Short Lived Climate Pollutants and emerging future projects.
Expand cooperation with research institutions working in the Arctic and with other Observer countries. This will involve increased participation in multinational projects and in key scientific-policy events such as the International Polar Year (IPY).
Actively participate in IASC, NySMAC, SIOS, the UArctic, Arctic Circle Assembly, Arctic Frontiers, Arctic Science Summit Forum initiatives and encourage hosting of Arctic related conferences and summits in India.
Enhance the quality of India's engagement with the Arctic Council by contributing to sustainable development, study of indigenous peoples and development of natural medicines.
Climate change is a global challenge. India places a high value on the environment and maintenance of ecological balance. India is committed to a collaborative and cooperative approach to combat global warming in keeping with its ethos, traditional values and development needs. India seeks to harness the fruits of science and technology to not only meet its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but to also exceed them.
Climate change is an important dimension of India's scientific research in the Arctic. Studying the impact of climate change in the Arctic can improve response mechanisms in other parts of the globe. The atmosphere is warming faster in the Arctic, whereas the ocean is warming faster in the Indian Ocean. It is, therefore, imperative to understand causative mechanisms of such warming and predict outcomes. Cryospheric linkages between glaciers in the Arctic and the Himalaya is well documented in IPCC's Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere (2019).
As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, India will participate in research on ecosystem values, marine protected areas and traditional knowledge systems to preserve Arctic biodiversity and microbial diversity.
Engage with partners to improve Earth System modelling to support weather and climate predictions of the globe.
Encourage research to align with international Arctic priorities in the arena of socio-economic, political, anthropologic, ethnographic and traditional knowledge.
Contribute towards environmental management in the Arctic—methane emission, micro-plastic, marine litter and more. Collaborate with forums such as the Arctic Council's Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Expert Group to seek solutions.
Engage with the Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Response Working Group of the Arctic Council to contribute towards environmental emergencies, search and rescue, natural and manmade disasters and accidents in the Arctic.
Ensure that Indian enterprises follow high environmental standards while engaging in scientific and economic activities in the region.
Since the launch of India's first satellite Aryabhatta in 1975, the hallmark of India's space programme has been its relative low cost, innovation, industry participation and high societal impact. The NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) mission will launch its first satellite in 2022. It will measure the Earth's changing ecosystems, dynamic surfaces, and ice masses. This will provide information about biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise, and groundwater and will support a host of other applications. NISAR's data will help scientists to better understand the causes and consequences of land surface changes, effects and pace of climate change enabling better management worldwide, including Arctic, of natural resources and hazards.
The Arctic is characterised with low digital connectivity. India's expertise in providing remote areas with effective satellite enabled communication and digital connectivity can potentially mitigate these shortfalls.
2.6 Objectives (Space)
Expand remote sensing capability to the Arctic and engage with Arctic countries for mutually advantageous sharing of India's RESOURCESAT for land and water management and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities.
Develop facilities for establishing services in the Arctic related to telecommunications and connectivity, maritime safety and navigation, search and rescue, hydrographic surveys, climate modelling, environmental monitoring and surveillance, mapping and sustainable management of marine resources.
Engage with partners for establishing satellite ground stations in the Arctic for optimal exploitation of Indian satellites placed in polar orbits.
The Arctic represents a mix of opportunities and challenges. While abundant unexploited living and non-living resources coupled with shorter transit routes represent opportunities, the potential adverse impacts of increased economic activity pose a challenge. The Arctic thus necessitates the creation of effective mechanisms that promote responsible business activities based on the three pillars of sustainable development—environmental, economic and social.
India seeks to engage in economic development in a manner that is sustainable and is of value to the Arctic residents, especially indigenous communities. The Arctic offers viable opportunities in different sectors where Indian enterprises can be involved, become part of international commerce, promote traditional indigenous knowledge, businesses and best practices.
3.1 Energy, Mineral And Other Resorces
India supports sustainable business development in the Arctic as outlined by the Arctic Economic Council (AEC).
The Arctic is the largest unexplored prospective area for hydrocarbons remaining on earth. India's current investment in Russia is 15 billion USD in oil and gas projects. There are similar opportunities in other Arctic nations as well.
The Arctic also contains reserves of mineral deposits—copper, phosphorus, niobium, platinum-group elements and rare earths. Although these resources are becoming increasingly accessible, surveys need to be conducted to assess their full potential. Environmental and social impacts due to increased human activity also need to be taken into consideration.
Renewable energy (hydroelectricity, bioenergy, wind power, solar, geothermal, and ocean energy) and microgrids plays a critical role in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. From geothermal energy in Iceland, to the TaziTwé water diversion hydroelectric project in Saskatchewan, the potential for exploiting renewables to power the Arctic is enormous.
India seeks to increase its role in sustainable living and non-living resource exploration in the Arctic. Opportunities need to be mapped and potential collaborations and projects for joint explorations identified.
Explore opportunities for responsible exploration of natural resources and minerals from the Arctic.
Pursue collaboration with Arctic states, Observers and other economic actors for mutually beneficial and sustainable economic cooperation and investment.
Leverage India's expertise in the Digital Economy for enabling and facilitating establishment of data centres for commerce in the region.
Identify opportunities for investment in Arctic infrastructure in areas such as offshore exploration/mining, ports, railways and airports. Encourage participation by Indian public and private sector entities with an expertise in these sectors.
Encourage India's chambers of industry and commerce to enhance private investment in the Arctic and explore the public-private-partnership model. Encourage Indian companies to obtain membership of the AEC and engage with the five working groups—responsible resource development; maritime transportation; connectivity; investment and infrastructure; and energy.
Explore partnership opportunities for off-grid renewable energy and bioenergy.
Develop fail-safe seed storage facilities in cryospheric regions.
3.3 Human DEvelopement
Specialized cultures of the Arctic's indigenous inhabitants are being inexorably impacted by climate change as well as economic development and improved connectivity. This is similar to the socio-ecological-economic predicament of the Himalayan peoples. The disruption of unique ecosystems and erosion of traditional knowledge are common to both. India has substantial expertise in addressing such issues and is uniquely placed to make a positive contribution in assisting the Arctic's indigenous communities cope with similar challenges.
India has considerable experience in the building of robust low-cost social networks that cover services ranging from food distribution to health. This expertise can be shared with the Arctic to facilitate the provision of such services to poorly connected regions and communities.
India's rising purchasing power is contributing to growth in consumption within and outside the country. There is a steady rise in outbound tourist flows, contributing to global earnings and helping local communities. The Arctic is a potential area of growth. India supports the Arctic Marine Tourism Project best practice guidelines that seek to promote Arctic marine tourism in a responsible, safe, and environmentally sustainable way.
Share expertise in the management of indigenous and other communities with the Arctic states.
Encourage Indian participation in sustainable tourism in the Arctic.
Examine the feasibility of providing healthcare services and technological solutions (telemedicine, robotics, nanotechnology) in the Arctic.
Explore avenues to undertake cultural and educational exchanges between the indigenous communities of the glacial regions of Himalayas and the Arctic.
Ice free conditions in the Arctic are resulting in the opening of new shipping routes thereby lowering costs and reshaping global trade. Traffic, especially through the Northern Sea Route, is rising exponentially and is projected to quadruple by 2025. Arctic navigation needs specific hydrographic and meteorological data, communication coverage, seasonal mapping of the ice-free channels, ships of Ice-class standards and trained polar shipping crew.
India ranks third in the list of seafarer supplying nations catering to almost ten per cent of global demand. India's maritime human resources could contribute towards meeting the growing requirements of the Arctic.
India also has a well-developed hydrographic capacity that could assist in the survey and mapping of Arctic routes. India is a member of the Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica and has co-produced the International Chart of Antarctic Waters with Russia.
India also seeks to participate in the environmental monitoring study to evaluate the predicted emissions of ships likely to traverse this route in future. The impact on ambient air quality by Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulphur Oxides (SOx) needs to be assessed to save the pristine Arctic environment from increasing anthropogenic activities.
Seek participation in environmental monitoring, collecting hydrographic and oceanographic data, creation of maritime safety facilities (e.g. buoyage, ship reporting systems) as well as satellite coverage of vessels operating in the region.
Collaborate with partners possessing expertise in building ice class vessels suitable for polar operations and exchange experience on adoption of sustainable shipping technology in consonance with IMO regulations and guidelines.
Explore opportunities for Indian seafarers to crew ships engaged in Arctic transits.
Explore the possibility of linking the International North South Transport Corridor with the Unified Deep-Water System and its further extension to the Arctic. North-South connectivity will result in lowering shipping costs and overall development of the hinterland and of indigenous communities more than East-West connectivity.
The Arctic region includes nation states with their respective sovereign jurisdictions as well as areas beyond national jurisdiction. The region is governed by numerous national domestic laws, bilateral agreements, global treaties and conventions and customary laws for the indigenous peoples.
The Arctic Council is the primary high-level intergovernmental forum for Arctic cooperation set up with the twin-mandate of environmental protection and sustainable development. It comprises member states, permanent participants and observers. It has six Working Groups which oversee voluntarily funded projects. In addition, there are other independent forums focused on specific issues such as the Nordic Defence Cooperation, Arctic Coast Guard Forum and Offshore Regulators Forum.
The Arctic Economic Council is an independent forum facilitating business-to-business activities. Mirroring the Arctic Council, it too has six Working Groups supporting sustainable development goals and houses the Arctic Investment Protocol.
Other International frameworks include the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, international environmental treaties, oil and gas liability regimes and the international human rights instruments.
At the regional level, significant instruments are the Svalbard Treaty 1920, 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears, 2011 Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue, 2013 Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response, 2017 Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation, regional fisheries agreements including the near ratified Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (2018), Arctic Council's Oil and Gas Liability Guidelines and the Arctic Investment Protocol (2015).
The third tier of Arctic governance consists of legislation at the national and sub-national levels. Some of these, such as the Canadian and Russian domestic laws that draw authority from Article 234 of UNCLOS also affect international shipping. Sub-national laws specific to Canada, Greenland (Denmark), Alaska (USA) and Russia too are in use. In addition, regional organisations such as the Arctic Council, Barents Euro Arctic Council, Nordic Council, the AEC and regional fisheries organisations regulate activities in parts of the region largely through consensus.
As an Observer State to the Arctic Council, India has ratified almost all international treaties and is a member of international organisations that are also relevant to the Arctic.
Pursue international cooperation and partnerships with all stakeholders in the region;
Uphold international law and in particular UNCLOS, including the rights and freedoms contained therein, and support common heritage of humankind in the deep seabed area in the Arctic;
Actively participate in international climate change and environmental treaty frameworks relating to the Arctic;
Enhance participation in organizations relevant to the region of which India is a member such as the International Maritime Organisation and the International Hydrographic Organisation;
Participate in economic activities in the region in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 framework.
Develop a greater understanding of Arctic related national and sub-national legislation.
Encourage academic exchanges between India and other countries of the region.
Actively participate in the workshops, meetings, conferences relevant to Arctic.
As new opportunities open up in the Arctic, India will enhance its human resource capabilities. Ranging from science and exploration, to seafaring and economic cooperation, India's Arctic engagement will be built on appropriate augmentation of its domestic capacity.
Expand capability, capacity and awareness for Arctic-related scientific research by strengthening the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), involving academic and scientific institutions in India and identifying nodal institutes;
Promote domestic scientific research capacities by expanding earth sciences, biological sciences, geosciences, climate change and space related programmes, dove-tailed with Arctic imperatives in Indian Universities;
Strengthen indigenous research capacity in global climate modelling with special focus on South Asia, especially impact of Arctic warming on the variability of the monsoon;
Put in place Arctic related programmes for mineral/oil and gas exploration in petroleum research institutes;
Encourage tourism and hospitality sectors in building specialised capacities and awareness to engage with Arctic enterprises;
Expand student programmes on the blue-bio economy of the Arctic through a gamut of institutions working on living and non-living marine resources;
Strengthen nautical training institutions for training seafarers in Polar/ice navigation and build region specific hydrography capacity and skills necessary to undertake Arctic transits;
Expand India's trained manpower in the services sector backed by English-speaking skills in maritime insurance, chartering, arbitration and brokerage;
Build a wide-ranging institutional base on Arctic maritime, legal, environmental and governance issues.
India's engagement with the Arctic has been multi-dimensional. Within the span of a little over a decade, it has grown from a modest station at Svalbard to encompass a wide range of activities. Further, given the synergies between research pertaining to the Himalayas and the Arctic as well as the potential influence of changes in the Arctic to the Indian monsoon system, India's stake in the Arctic is significant. India regards the Arctic as the common heritage of mankind. India is well poised to utilise experience within its vast human resources to contribute towards the study of the Arctic and the preservation of its unique bio-diversity. India believes that any human activity in this fragile region should be sustainable, responsible, and transparent with respect for international laws, including UNCLOS. India, therefore, looks forward to increasing its engagement with this vital region and its governing bodies as a responsible partner.
This Policy shall be implemented through an Action Plan and an implementation and review mechanism based on timelines, prioritisation of activities and allocation of resources. The implementation will involve all stakeholders including academia, research community, business and industry.
ACAP: Arctic Contaminants Action Programme
AEC: Arctic Economic Council
AFoPS: Asian Forum for Polar Sciences
AMAP: Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
AMBI: Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative
AMTP: Arctic Marine Tourism Project
ATCM: Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting
ATS: Antarctic Treaty System
CAPE: Crop Acreage and Production Estimation
CCAMLR: Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
CLCS: Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf
COMNAP: Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs
EPPR: Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Response
HCA: Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica
IASC: International Arctic Science Committee
IDSA: Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
IHC: International Hydrographic Commission
IHO: International Hydrographic Organisation
INSTC: International North South Transport Corridor
IPY: International Polar Year
IMSD: Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development
ISRO: Indian Space Research Organisation
LNG: Liquefied Natural Gas
NCPOR: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research formerly National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research (NCAOR)
NORDEFCO: Nordic Defence Cooperation
NSR: Northern Sea Route
PRIO: Peace Research Institute, Oslo, Norway
SAO: Senior Arctic Officials
SAON: Sustaining Arctic Observation Networks
SCAR: Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
SDWG: Sustainable Development Working Group
SLCP EG: Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Expert Group
Ny-SMAC: Ny-Ålesund Science Managers Committee
UArctic: University of Arctic
UDWS: Unified Deep-Water System
UNCLOS: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
WMO: World Meteorological Organisation
The Government of India is in the process of formulating an Arctic Policy. The importance of the Arctic for India is constantly growing, primarily due to the challenges associated with climate change and global warming. India was accorded the status of an Observer to the Arctic Council in 2013, one of the thirteen countries in the world to have done so. The fact that this status was renewed in 2018 reflects India's contribution to Arctic studies and research.
India seeks to play a constructive role in the Arctic by leveraging its vast scientific pool and expertise in Himalayan and Polar research. India would also like to contribute in ensuring that as the Arctic becomes more accessible, the harnessing of its resources is done sustainably and in consonance with best practices formulated by bodies such as the Arctic Council. India's draft Arctic Policy captures these goals while charting a way ahead that focuses on building capacities to increase our level of engagement with the region.
Comments and feed back on the draft are requested by 26th January 2021. For rendering your feedback, your e-mail and contact details may kindly be provided. Entering the OTP received on you Mobile Number will enable you to submit your comments. Should you need greater space, you are welcome to mail your inputs on arcticpolicy-india@nic.in.
Last date of Submission is 26th January 2021.
Disclaimer : This website/application is designed to disseminate information/activities related to
National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY).
Hyperlinking Policy | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy
Links to external websites/portals
At many places in this Website, you shall find links to other websites/portals. These links have been placed for your convenience. The team is not responsible for the contents and reliability of the linked websites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in them. Mere presence of the link or its listing on this website should not be assumed as endorsement of any kind. We can not guarantee that these links will work all the time and we have no control over availability of linked pages.
Links to our website by other websites
We do not object to you linking directly to the information that is hosted on this website and no prior permission is required for the same. However, we would like you to inform us about any links provided to this website so that you can be informed of any changes or updations therein. Also, we do not permit our pages to be loaded into frames on your site. The pages belonging to this website must load into a newly opened browser window of the User.
Material featured on this Website may be reproduced free of charge after taking proper permission by sending a mail to us. However, the material has to be reproduced accurately and not to be used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. Wherever the material is being published or issued to others, the source must be prominently acknowledged. However, the permission to reproduce this material shall not extend to any material which is identified as being copyright of a third party. Authorisation to reproduce such material must be obtained from the departments/copyright holders concerned. These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Indian Laws. Any dispute arising under these terms and conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of India.
NCSS 2020 Task Force Secretariat
Landline: 011 - 2345 1577
Email: pdscyber-nscs[at]gov[dot]in
This website does not automatically capture any specific personal information from you (like name, phone number or e-mail address), that allows us to identify you individually. Wherever the Website requests you to provide personal information, you will be informed for the particular purposes for which the information is gathered and adequate security measures will be taken to protect your personal information. We do not sell or share any personally identifiable information volunteered on the website to any third party (public/private). Any information provided to this Website will be protected from loss, misuse, unauthorized access or disclosure, alteration, or destruction. We gather certain information about the User, such as Internet protocol (IP) addresses, domain name, browser type, operating system, the date and time of the visit and the pages visited. We make no attempt to link these addresses with the identity of individuals visiting our site unless an attempt to damage the site has been detected.