New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday emphasized India’s growing involvement in the Arctic region, noting that while the country has been engaged in Antarctic research for over four decades, it has recently strengthened its Arctic involvement through dedicated policy initiatives and international collaborations.
During his address at the Arctic Circle IndiaForum 2025, Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the Arctic, stating, “As one of the world’s youngest countries, India’s future is closely tied to what happens in the Arctic, a region that will have global consequences.”
Jaishankar reflected on India’s longstanding engagement with the Antarctic, which spans more than 40 years, and pointed out that India launched an Arctic policy a few years ago to deepen its connection with the region. He also mentioned India’s agreements with KSAT on Svalbard, which are relevant to the nation’s space ambitions.
“As the country with the most young people on this planet, what happens in the Arctic is of extreme importance to us… Given the direction in which things are moving, the consequences will be felt not just by us but by the entire world,” Jaishankar added.
The EAM stressed that the warming of the Arctic, which is opening up new shipping routes and creating new technological and resource opportunities, will have far-reaching impacts on the global economy. He further stated, “Given the Arctic’s trajectory, its impact will be global, making it everyone’s concern. As India’s economic growth accelerates, the developments in the Arctic become increasingly important for us.”
Jaishankar also pointed out that the Arctic’s future is closely tied to global geopolitical developments, particularly shifts in US political dynamics and the sharpening geopolitical divides. “The Arctic’s future is inextricably linked to what is happening in the world, including the evolving debates within the US political system,” he remarked.
In a post on X, Jaishankar elaborated on the global consequences of developments in the Arctic, stating, “I spoke about the global consequences of developments in the Arctic and how the changing world order impacts the region. I underlined India’s growing responsibilities in the Arctic, recognizing opportunities in connectivity, technology, resources, research, and space, while also seeking a greater understanding of the risks of global warming.”
Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Chairman of the Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland, reinforced Jaishankar’s sentiments, emphasizing that India’s economic future would increasingly depend on access to Arctic resources. Grimsson urged Indian economists to recognize this and highlighted how India’s role in the region will be crucial as global political dynamics shift, particularly with the growing collaboration between China and Russia and the evolving ties between the US and Russia.
“Many Indian economists have yet to recognize that India’s economic future will increasingly rely on access to Arctic resources. As India enters a complex geopolitical landscape—marked by China-Russia collaboration on one side and shifting US-Russia dynamics on the other—how India navigates these forces will be critical in shaping the Arctic’s future,” Grimsson concluded.
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