Context: India has recently released the Draft Arctic Policy which ensures that the Arctic resources are explored and used sustainably. 

About the Policy

• Under the policy, India will make sure that it abides by the rules and regulations of the Arctic Council.
• The policy envisages connecting the Arctic residents, especially the indigenous communities with those living in the Himalayan regions. 
• The policy aims to create opportunities where the Indian enterprises can be involved to become part of the international commerce businesses and promote traditional indigenous knowledge.

Five main pillars of Arctic Policy

• Science and Research, 
• Economic and Human Development, 
• Transportation and Connectivity, 
• National Capacity building, and 
• Governance and International Cooperation

The Arctic Policy has been synchronised and adapted to Goal 11 of Sustainable Development Goals ( Sustainable Cities and Communities). 
India believes that any human activity in this fragile region should be sustainable, responsible, and transparent with respect for international laws, including UNCLOS [United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea]. 
Background

• India signed the Svalbard Treaty in Paris. The treaty allowed free access to the Arctic region along with the commitment of not militarizing it. 
• India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic in 2007. 
• In 2008, India established a research base called Himadri at Ny Alesund, Svalbard, Norway. 
• In 2014, India deployed IndArc. It is a multisensory observatory in Kongsfjorden. In 2016, India set up Gruvebadet Atmospheric Laboratory at Ny Alesund, Svalbard.

Arctic Council

• It is an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous peoples and other Arctic inhabitants. 
• It was formally established in 1996. The Ottawa Declaration defines these states as Members of the Arctic Council.
• The Chairmanship of the Arctic Council rotates every two years among the Arctic States. The first country to chair the Arctic Council was Canada (1996-1998).
• The Arctic Council does not and cannot implement or enforce its guidelines, assessments or recommendations. That responsibility belongs to the individual Arctic States or international bodies.
• India had become an Observer in the Arctic Council for the first time in 2013 and its membership was renewed for another five-year term in 2018.

Significance

• The Arctic research will help Indian scientists study the melting rates of the third pole – the Himalayan glaciers, which are known to host the world’s largest freshwater reserves outside the geographic poles.
• The scientific community had made an observation that the melting ice in the Arctic due to climate change could release new pathogens that had previously remained trapped, thus increasing the possibility of future pandemics.

Also Read: https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/IAS/MjQ3MzEx/Geopolitical-footprints-around-Arctic--Geography-IAS