At the recently concluded Arctic Circle India Forum in New Delhi, a significant spotlight was cast on India’s evolving engagement with the Arctic region.The event held on May 3-4, co-hosted by the
Arctic Circle and the
Observer Research Foundation (ORF), in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Earth Sciences, brought together global leaders, scientists and policymakers to discuss “The Polar Order: The Arctic and Asia | Science – Geopolitics – Climate – Business.”STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADAmong the key voices was Milind Deora, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and advisory board member of the Arctic Circle. In an exclusive conversation with Firstpost’s Anmol Singla on the sidelines of the event, Deora stressed the imperative for India to deepen its Arctic engagement, both scientifically and geopolitically.More from World News
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at risk of inundation due to rising sea levels by 2040.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADIndia needs to look to the Arctic moreIndia’s Arctic Policy, released in March 2022, outlines six pillars: Science and Research, Climate and Environmental Protection, Economic and Human Development, Transportation and Connectivity, Governance and International Cooperation, and National Capacity Building.Deora also pointed out the strategic importance of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), which could offer shorter shipping lanes between Europe and Asia. “While the whole world’s focus and attention is on the South China Sea, should India not be focused on the Northern Sea Route?” he questioned.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe NSR, also called the Northeast Passage, is a shipping corridor through the Arctic Ocean that links the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, offering a shorter path between Europe and Asia than conventional routes like the Suez or Panama Canals.India as a potential bridge builderIndia’s
collaboration with Russia in the Arctic has been a focal point, with joint research initiatives and discussions on developing the NSR. However, geopolitical tensions have complicated multilateral engagements.Following
Russia’s war in Ukraine, there has been a significant divide between Moscow and the rest of the Arctic nations, all of which are also part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).Despite these challenges, India continues to advocate for a balanced approach, highlighting dialogue and cooperation. “I think that’s something which is an area of immense opportunity for India to use its leadership role and its multilateral approach towards foreign policy to work with countries during a very hostile time in Europe and to bridge differences, to be in some ways, I wouldn’t use the word intermediary, but in some ways a bridge builder and a facilitator of a dialogue. So I think India has a very unique role to play in that,” Deora stated.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADIn the context of the current diplomatic situation in Europe, Deora told Firstpost, “It will be unique to see how Arctic nations, given how polarised Europe is vis-à-vis Russia, how they are able to politically sell it to their public that they’re willing to engage in dialogue, if not for their borders, at least when it comes to issues like cooperation in the Arctic.”“We should not forget that during the peak of the Cold War, the US and Russia were able to partner together in Space. So these are things where people can overcome differences.”STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADAs India prepares for potential high-level engagements with Nordic countries, including a
scheduled visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Oslo, the Arctic is poised to become a significant area of collaboration.Deora expressed confidence that Arctic issues will feature prominently in India’s foreign policy agenda. “I’m very certain that a big part of the thrust from India will be around the Arctic,” he affirmed.India’s expanding engagement in the Arctic evidenced at the Arctic Circle India Forum shows that as New Delhi’s strategic importance increases on the global stage, developments occurring in all corners of the globe have consequences for the Indian subcontinent — and
the importance of the Arctic should be acknowledged by every Indian.Milind Deora, Rajya Sabha MP, member of the advisory board of the Arctic Circle (right) can be seen in a conversation with former PM of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, chairman of the Arctic Circle, on the sidelines of the Arctic Circle India Forum held on May 3-4 in New Delhi, India. X/milinddeoraThe 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly will be held in the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Reykjavík, Iceland, on October 16-18.TagsClimate ChangeIndiaEnd of Article
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