India's Arctic Council Membership Push

# India's Arctic Council Membership Push ### Why in News? A Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs has recommended that India appoint a **Polar Ambassador** and seek **full-fledged membership in the Arctic Council**, moving beyond its current role as an observer. ### What does this recommendation mean? India is currently one of the **13 observer countries** in the Arctic Council, which means it has no decision-making power and cannot fund or direct research. The panel suggests upgrading India's status to a full member to gain a stronger voice in Arctic governance. The proposed **Polar Ambassador** would lead India's polar diplomacy, similar to envoys from other nations. The panel also suggests a **quadrilateral cooperation** with other Asian observers like **Japan, South Korea, and Singapore**. This marks a strategic shift in India's Arctic Policy from a purely **science-oriented approach** to one that includes **geopolitics, strategy, and mineral extraction**. India aims to access **critical minerals** and ingredients for **pharmaceuticals (APIs)**, and is exploring use of Russian research stations like **Chersky** in Siberia for studies on permafrost and climate. ### Exam Connect **Arctic Council** → Established in **1996** via the **Ottawa Declaration**, with **8 permanent members** and headquarters in **Tromsø, Norway** **India's Arctic presence** → **Himadri** research station at **Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard**, set up in **2008**; nodal ministry is **Ministry of Earth Sciences**