Navigating the Ice: A Legal Lens to India’s Role in the Arctic’s Emerging Geopolitical Landscape

Once considered a remote expanse of frozen wilderness, the Arctic, is now, with due course of time emerging as a focal point for global governance, climate science and geopolitical competition, making it a key area of deliberation in the eyes of major world powers. This paper seeks to examine India’s engagement in the Arctic region through a multidisciplinary lens which intends to integrate the disciplines of International Law, Environmental Law and Geopolitics. Additionally, it seeks to draw the attention to how India’s interest in Arctic is neither symbolic nor peripheral but instead rooted in its climate vulnerability, maritime ambitions, and energy security needs. The research methodology of this paper is doctrinal and analytical in nature examining both primary legal instruments and secondary literature and policy documents. This paper is structured in such a way so as to provide the readers with a clear conceptual and legal overview of governance in Arctic region while simultaneously analysing India’s existing research infrastructure and policy initiatives concerning the region; along with identifying the key legal and geopolitical challenges that India might have to confront when increasing its engagement in Arctic. Additionally, it also explores the various opportunities that India can utilise to increase its engagement in Arctic in a sustainable manner so as to ensure that it doesn’t get left behind in this global polar pursuit.