Murmansk, popularly called the capital of the Arctic Region and the beginning point of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), is witnessing the rising trend of Indian involvement in Cargo traffic.In the first seven months of 2023, India is expected to receive a whopping 35% of the eight million tonnes of cargo handled by the Murmansk port, about 2,000 km northwest of Moscow.India is showing more interest regarding NSR for several reasons.
North Sea Route (NSR)
- The NSR, the shortest shipping route for freight transportation between Europe and countries of the Asia-Pacific region, straddles the Four Seas (Barents, Kara, Laptev and East Siberian Sea) of the Arctic Ocean.
- Running to 5,600 km, the Route begins at the boundary between the Barents and the Kara seas (Kara Strait) and ends in the Bering Strait (Provideniya Bay).
- It offers potential distance savings of up to 50% compared to traditional routes through the Suez or Panama Canals.
Significance of the Arctic for India
Untapped Hydrocarbon Reserves
- The region constitutes the largest unexplored prospective area for hydrocarbons remaining on the earth. It is estimated that the region may hold over 40% of the current global reserves of oil and gas.
- The region has rich deposits of coal, gypsum and diamonds and also substantial reserves of zinc, lead, placer gold and quartz.
- The Arctic can therefore potentially address India’s energy security needs and deficiency of strategic and rare earth minerals.
- However, the government’s Arctic Policy of 2022 mentions that the country’s approach to economic development of the region is guided by UN Sustainable Development Goals.
India’s Historical Engagement
- India’s engagement with the Arctic dates back to the signing of the Svalbard Treaty in 1920.
- India has conducted various scientific studies and research in the region, focusing on atmospheric, biological, marine, hydrological, and glaciological studies.
- Initiatives like the Himadri research station, multi-sensor moored observatory, and northernmost atmospheric laboratory showcase India’s commitment to Arctic research.
- Becoming an observer-state of the Arctic Council in 2013 strengthened India’s Arctic presence.
Geographical Significance
- The Arctic helps circulate the world’s ocean currents, moving cold and warm water around the globe.
- Also, Arctic sea ice acts as a huge white reflector at the top of the planet, bouncing some of the sun’s rays back into space, helping keep the Earth at an even temperature.
Environmental Significance
- The Arctic and the Himalayas, though geographically distant, are interconnected and share similar concerns.
- The Arctic meltdown is helping the scientific community to better understand the glacial melt in the Himalayas, which has often been referred to as the ‘third pole’ and has the largest freshwater reserves after the North and South poles.
- Therefore, the study of the Arctic is critical to Indian scientists. In line, India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean in 2007 and opened the Himadri research base in the Svalbard archipelago (Norway) and has been actively engaging in research there ever since.