Distinguished Experts, Students and Friends,
India & Antarctica
India was a late entrant in the race to reach the poles, in the race for Antarctica. We achieved the first successful expedition to Antarctica in 1981 and became a Consultative Party of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)in 1983, committing ourselves to its principles; though the ATS came into force two decades earlier in 1961. Recall that this was the 1980s; the time when Wg Cdr Rakesh Sharma also became the first Indian cosmonaut. These were clearly very special times holding much significance for our scientific fields and human imagination.
How to view Antarctica?
Antarctica is a precious natural meteorological and ocean science lab. It has provided the space for man to quench his thirst for adventure, lift his spirit for exploration, and hone his scientific temperament. Conditions in Antarctica have formed an important part of the decades-long climate change debate. Indeed, Antarctica is the barometer for global atmospheric and oceanic forces. And as if that was not sufficient, it is also an important platform for the study and understanding of earth and atmospheric sciences, glaciology and biodiversity.
India’s Antarctica Programme
India has progressed significantly in the past few years in its Antarctic Mission. The upcoming Maitri -2 station that India is going to set up in 2029 alongside DakshinGangotri, Maitri-1, and Bharati stations are milestones in our scientific journey. Each station has contributed immensely to developing India's understanding of glaciology, oceanography, and biodiversity.
India & ATS
The core principles of the ATS are to make Antarctica a zone of peace and a continent that is solely used to conduct scientific research. While it is difficult to say that Antarctica is devoid of geopolitics, it can be said that ATS has allowed the continent to be characteristically unique while allowing for scientific and exploratory activities and environmental protection.
The Indian engagement in Antarctica goes beyond science, it is holistic and deals with diplomatic and political aspects as well. Within the ATS, India always looks for decisions which balance national interests of countries with their international obligations. India's environmental impact assessments and tourism management proposals exemplify this balanced approach.
As one of the consultative parties, India has been part of Antarctica’s governance framework. India organized the 46th consultative party meeting at Kochi in 2024 which was yet another milestone in India’s Antarctica journey. This meeting demonstrated India's efforts to build international consensus on polar issues that currently the world is engaged with.
India’s Legislative Framework
The India Antarctica Act was adopted in 2022, and is a major legislation that India has introduced with regard to the establishment of a legal framework for activities in Antarctica. It applies not only to India's scientific endeavours, but also sets the standards for the tourists and other visitors to the region. It coincides with the major goals of the Antarctic Treaty System - demilitarization of continent, nuclear free region, and a place where scientific research is valued.
International Cooperation
Antarctica is facing various problems, and these are not confined to the continent itself, thus establishing a need for synergetic efforts. India has always considered international cooperation a fundamental aspect of its Antarctic Programme. This collaborative participatory approach is a testament to India’s engagement with the science and research output as well as with the governance of the region.
Antarctica as a Global Common
India does not endorse any of the territorial claims within Antarctica on account of the central theme of the Treaty which advocates that the continent is a global common which ought to be peacefully explored without any sovereign claims over it. This shows India's commitment to multilateralism as well as peace in the governance of the polar region.
Antarctica is a global common where one aims towards cooperative coexistence; and that is how we have to bequeath it to our progeny i.e. as a model of a global common with peaceful co-existence and whose issues have been successfully looked after by the previous generations, including the present one.
Way Forward
However, current challenges of resource exploitation, access and sharing of resources, increased tourist activities, climate change, and militarization riskspose hurdles in Antarctica’s governance. It also entails that it is time for India to take thelead as a responsible stakeholder and work together with others concerned to deliver what is most cared for within the Antarctic Treaty System principles – peace, tranquillity, cooperation, environmental sustainability – with the objective of a pristine Antarctica, with the least human intervention, that safeguards the earth’s atmosphere, oceans and climate. Indeed, India has been so vocal about the need to protect Antarctica's pristine environment;the use of renewable energy in our research stations is a testimony of our support to the cause.
Sustainability is about the continuation of the human race in an environmentally conscious way. At this juncture of science, sustainability, and humanity’s responsibilities, it is important to recallthat Antarctica is not just a piece of land; it is a commitment to our future generations; an example of mankind’s spirit of adventure and exploration, quest for a better understanding of his environs, and the urge to answer mother nature’s summons.
Man has conquered Antarctica; it has proved its point. Now let us pause and rethink. A pristine Antarctica with the least human intervention can also be an example of what collective effort& understanding and commitment to mother nature can achieve.
I am confident that this Panel Discussion with leading Indian experts on Antarctica will come up with many such observations and suggestions. I look forward to a thoughtful and lively discussion. I wish the panellists all the best.
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