India and the Arctic | Rising Geopolitical Importance | InDepth | Drishti IAS English

Summary

The video discusses the Arctic region's increasing militarization, its strategic importance, and the role of global powers like the US, Russia, and China in asserting control over it. It emphasizes the growing geopolitical tensions and the impact of climate change, which is opening new trade routes and exposing untapped resources. The video also highlights India's current Arctic policy, focusing on scientific cooperation, environmental protection, and peaceful engagement, while urging India to reassess its approach in light of the region's shifting dynamics. The Arctic Council's role and its limitations in governance are also explored.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Arctic has transitioned from a peripheral region to a central part of global power play, with increasing militarization among major countries.
• 😀 Countries like the US, China, and Russia are rapidly expanding their military presence in the Arctic, previously known for scientific cooperation and research.
• 😀 Climate change is causing the Arctic ice to melt, opening new maritime trade routes and exposing untapped natural resources like oil, gas, and rare minerals.
• 😀 The melting ice in the Arctic has made the Northern Sea Route more navigable, reducing shipping time and opening new shipping lanes.
• 😀 The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest among the five major oceans and is heavily influenced by freshwater influx from rivers.
• 😀 The Arctic Circle, located at a latitude of 66°30′ N, includes countries like Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland, Canada, and the US.
• 😀 The growing militarization of the Arctic is driven by the presence of natural resources and the strategic location of countries like Russia and the US in the region.
• 😀 The US has shown strategic interest in the Arctic, highlighted by former President Trump's proposal to purchase Greenland, signaling the region's growing geopolitical importance.
• 😀 India's Arctic policy focuses on scientific cooperation, climate change, and environmental sustainability rather than militarizing the region, aiming for peaceful collaboration.
• 😀 India is an observer member of the Arctic Council and has a research station in the region, named Himadri, reflecting its commitment to scientific research and climate studies.

Q & A

What has changed about the Arctic region in recent times according to the script?

The Arctic, once considered a peripheral region, has now become a central part of global power plays, with increasing militarization and strategic competition among global powers like the US, China, and Russia.

Why has the Arctic region become more militarized?

The Arctic region is rich in natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and rare minerals, which makes it highly strategic. Additionally, climate change has opened up new maritime routes, further increasing global interest and militarization.

How is climate change affecting the Arctic?

Climate change is causing the Arctic ice to melt, opening up previously inaccessible trade routes. The rise in temperature is also affecting the region’s natural environment and resources, which is drawing more countries to the area.

What role does the Arctic Ocean play in global geopolitics?

The Arctic Ocean, located around the North Pole, is the smallest and shallowest of the world's five oceans. It is gaining importance due to the emerging maritime routes and untapped natural resources now more accessible because of melting ice.

Which countries are involved in the Arctic region?

Countries involved in the Arctic include Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland, Canada, and the United States. These nations have territorial claims or strategic interests in the region.

How is the US engaging with the Arctic region?

The US is increasing its engagement in the Arctic, especially in Greenland, where there is significant interest in the region's natural resources and strategic location.

What is the current policy of India towards the Arctic?

India's Arctic policy is focused on scientific cooperation and climate research. It does not advocate for militarizing the region but emphasizes peaceful scientific collaboration and environmental sustainability.

What is India's Arctic Council membership status?

India is an observer member of the Arctic Council, which allows the country to participate in discussions on Arctic governance, although it does not have voting rights.

What are the six pillars of India's Arctic policy?

India's Arctic policy focuses on six pillars: scientific research, climate and environmental protection, economic and human development, transportation and connectivity, governance, and international cooperation.

What is the main limitation of the Arctic Council as discussed in the script?

The Arctic Council's main limitation is that its decisions are non-binding and exclude military and defense issues from discussions, which restricts its capacity for addressing security concerns in the region.