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