Context: Recently, India has participated in the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3).

Key Points

• ASM is the global platform for discussing research and cooperation in the Arctic region.
• Ministry of Earth Science shared India’s vision and long-term plans for research, work, and cooperation in the Arctic region with the stakeholders.

ASM3, the recent meeting, is jointly organised by Iceland and Japan. It is the first Ministerial meeting being held in Asia. 

• ASM3 is a platform to provide opportunities to academia, indigenous communities, governments and policymakers, to enhance collective understanding of the Arctic region, emphasize and engage in constant monitoring, and strengthen observations. 
• ASM3’ theme for the year is ‘Knowledge for a Sustainable Arctic’.
• Earlier, the first two meetings were held in 2016 (USA) and 2018 (Germany).
• India may get an opportunity to host the next or future ASM.

India’s Plan for Arctic Region

• Contributing observing systems in the Arctic, both in-situ and by remote sensing.
• Deploying open ocean mooring in the Arctic for long-term monitoring of upper ocean variables and marine meteorological parameters.
• Launching of NISER (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite mission, in collaboration with the USA, which is underway.
• NISER will conduct global measurements of the cause and consequences of land surface changes using advanced radar imaging. India’s contributions to the Sustained Arctic Observational Network (SAON) would continue.
• Continuing its contributions to the Sustained Arctic Observational Network (SAON).
• India believes in collaborations towards strengthening observational systems and sharing of data to enhance knowledge.
• It is committed to play a positive role in deepening shared understanding of the Arctic through observation, research, capacity building, as well in promoting sustainable development of the region through international cooperation.

Significance of Arctic Study for India

• Though none of India’s territory directly falls in the Arctic region, it is a crucial area as the Arctic influences atmospheric, oceanographic and biogeochemical cycles of the earth’s ecosystem.
• Arctic warming and its ice melt are global concerns as they play a pivotal role in regulating climate, sea levels, and maintaining biodiversity.
• There is growing evidence of connection between the Arctic and the Indian Ocean (which modulates the Indian monsoon). Hence, improving the understanding of physical processes and quantifying the impact of Arctic ice melt on the Indian summer monsoon is very important.