India is expanding its global presence, and the Arctic is a new frontier of interest. As a region with vast untapped resources and crucial geopolitical importance, the Arctic aligns with India’s growing global influence. How does India’s role compare with other powers like the U.S. and China and the Nordics, and what does it mean for its broader superpower goals?
India’s presence in the Arctic is growing, with a focus on scientific research and climate studies. Unlike the U.S., which focuses on national security, and China, which has pursued Arctic routes, India has taken a measured approach. According to Arctic researcher Andreas Østhagen, India’s involvement could reshape geopolitical dynamics, particularly with Arctic states like Norway and Russia.
The Arctic fits into India’s broader superpower goals by showcasing its commitment to global challenges like climate change. India, representing the Global South, brings a fresh perspective to Arctic discussions, bridging development concerns with environmental stewardship.
India’s Arctic research focuses on climate change, glaciology, and biodiversity. Looking forward, balancing economic ambitions in the resource-rich Arctic with environmental sustainability will be crucial. India’s efforts thus far emphasize sustainability, and partnerships with Arctic states like Norway and the Nordics offer opportunities for collaboration in climate research and sustainable development.
India’s growing Arctic engagement reflects its strategic ambitions, positioning it as a key player in the region, aligned with global sustainability goals.
For this podcast, we invited Sulagna, founder-editor of Geography and You (G'nY), a journal dedicated to climate change, development, and the environment since 2001. With nearly three decades of experience in climate change, polar studies, disaster management, and biodiversity, Sulagna has co-authored several books, including Climate Change and the White World and Science and Geopolitics of the White World: Arctic-Antarctic-Himalaya. She is also a founding member of LIGHTS and has led numerous national and international conferences, including SaGAA, focusing on seas and oceans around India. Andreas Østhagen from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) also joins us for this discussion.
Listen to the podcast here: