Arctic Council
- Established: 1996 by the Ottawa Declaration.
- Membership: Eight Arctic states—Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.
- Indigenous Peoples: Six organizations representing Arctic indigenous peoples have permanent participation.
- Main Focus:
- Environmental protection and climate change in the Arctic region.
- Promoting sustainable development in the Arctic, including resource management.
- Scientific research and monitoring of the Arctic environment.
- Ensuring the well-being of indigenous populations.
Significance for India:
- Observer Status: India has been an observer since 2013, allowing it to participate in discussions and initiatives.
- Climate Change and Research: India’s scientific and environmental expertise can contribute to Arctic research, especially regarding climate change impacts, as it is highly affected by global warming.
- Strategic Interests: As the Arctic’s significance in global geopolitics and resource extraction grows, India’s participation offers an opportunity to engage with Arctic nations on energy, shipping routes, and natural resource exploration.
- Sustainability and Environmental Cooperation: India can collaborate on sustainable development initiatives, especially in the context of its own climate goals.