Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist Oct-Nov 2018 | Page 52

PERSPECTIVE monsoon (DNA Correspondent, 2015). It is India’s responsibility to take part in climate change mitigation and Arctic diplomacy since the massive Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on the monsoon. This makes the scope of this study is even more important from India’s point of view. India too is directly aff ected by the sea level rise due to its massive coastline. Thus, the need arises for active participation in Arctic diplomacy. The Indian government estimates that nearly 40 million people (mostly living along the coasts) will be at risk from the rising sea-level by the mid of this century (PTI, 2017). Energy security is another sector where India needs to plan ahead of time as it is of immense importance for an economy of the size of India and a billion plus population. It is necessary for India to engage itself in the Arctic region if it wants to have an upper hand at energy security. West Asia is in a perpetual state of unrest and with the introduction of unconventional sources of hydrocarbons, India is looking towards its longstanding ally Russia for energy security. Russia has a third of the world’s total natural gas reserves and about 10-13% of the world’s oil reserves. Most of these reserves are in the Russian Arctic and scientists are exploring more reserves in the Arctic Ocean (a large part of which Russia claims to be its territorial waters) (Chaturvedi, 2014). India is taking a benign approach towards the current developments in the region as it wants to place itself in a better position than China by creating goodwill of itself. While China is taking an aggressive approach economically to reap the benefi ts out of the new trade routes, India is looking forward to building on its good relations with the Scandinavian countries and Russia for a sustainable use of the Arctic’s resources. After 10 years of ratifi cation of the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea Norway, Russia, Canada and Denmark launched projects to establish claims that certain sectors of the Arctic seabed should belong to them. Energy security is another sector where India needs to plan ahead of time as it is of immense importance for an economy of the size of India and a billion plus population. It is necessary for India to engage itself in the Arctic region if it wants to have an upper hand at energy security. Devising a Polar Code A Polar Code can be devised according to scholars, which will help keep the Arctic from exploitation to point that it becomes uninhabitable for both humans and animals. In the past, there have been instances where the world as a single community came forward to agree on certain terms to safeguard some of their precious resources (The Antarctic Treaty). The Arctic is one of the last untouched regions of the Earth and its natural habitat can still be saved if proper measures are taken at the right time. The protection of the Arctic ecosystem is crucial for the planet’s survival. Contrary to the economic benefi ts that the phenomenon of climate change is presenting to a handful of nations interested in the region, there are signs of severe environmental damage due to increased human activities in the region. Conclusion It can be concluded that there are numerous opportunities as well as challenges for various stakeholders in the Arctic. The emerging world order is characterised by its multi- polar nature and in this multi-polar world, Arctic plays a crucial role from numerous point of views. It is the common responsibility of all the nations across the globe to treat Arctic as a Global Commons for a safer and sustainable future. Works Cited Chaturvedi, S. (2014). India’s Arctic Engagement: Challenges and Opportunities. Asia Policy. Cowling, J. (2011). Arctic oil exploration: Potential riches and problems. BBC News. DNA Correspondent. (2015, January 9). Changes in Arctic ice aff ect Indian Monsoon: Scientists. Daily News and Analysis (DNA). Gao, C. (2018, January 26). China Issues Its Arctic Policy. The Diplomat. PTI. (2017, July 25). 40 million people will at risk from rising sea-level by 2050: govt. The Hindu. Russia Today. (2007, August 2). Russian fl ag planted on N Pole seabed. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/news/ russian-fl ag-planted-on-n-pole-seabed/ Woody, C. (2018, October 1). Military & Defence. Retrieved from Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.in/The- UK-will-send-800-troops-to-the-Arctic-to-demonstrate-were- there-to-the-Russians/articleshow/66031350.cms * The author is the Editor at Giantview Private Limited. 52 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 10 • Oct-Nov 2018, Noida