NEWS
2025-07-29
India’s Expanding Global Footprint in Polar Governance and Science (2024–2025)
Editor:Swati Nagar(NCPOR, India)
Scientific insights are vital for effective governance, especially in remote and fragile regions like Antarctica. The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and 26th Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) in Kochi showcased this science-policy synergy. Organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India through NCPOR (May 20 to 30, 2024), the meetings underscored international commitment to the protection and sustainable management of Antarctica. India submitted four working papers and fifteen information papers, and announced its plan to establish a new Antarctic research station, Maitri-II. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Antarctic cooperation was also signed with Norway .
Alongside this, NCPOR scientists actively engaged in global polar science meetings and conferences, further strengthening India’s presence in international polar research. At the SCAR Open Science Conference 2024 in Pucón, Chile, nine NCPOR officials delivered 12 presentations and co-chaired six sessions, contributing to international groups like SCAR RINGS, International Collaboration Effort for Improving Paleoclimate Research in the Southern Ocean (ICEPRO), Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS), and the SCAR Physical Sciences Group.
India participated in polar governance meetings, reaffirming its commitment to international polar research collaboration. India participated and put forth their research and opinions in the 36th Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) Annual General Meeting in Buenos Aires; the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik- highlighing India’s Arctic efforts. India also joined the 20th AFoPS Annual Meeting in Shanghai , where Dr. Thamban Meloth was elected Chair of AFoPS for 2025–2027. AFoPS now holds a special invitee status with the US and European Polar Boards.
At the Arctic Science Summit Week 2025 in Boulder, USA, NCPOR, India led discussions on Arctic policy and observational networks and chaired the AFoPS Special Meeting. Additionally, NCPOR scientist also represented India in the Arctic Frontiers Emerging Leaders Program in Norway, gaining valuable insights into Arctic science and leadership.
On 13 Dec 2024, NCPOR (MoES) and the UAE Polar Mission Office signed an MoU during the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting, fostering collaboration in polar research, operations, and capacity building—reinforcing joint commitment to climate action, sustainable development, and environmental protection in the Polar Regions.
India’s polar engagement continues to grow through diplomacy, science, and multilateral partnerships.
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Figure 1.Glimpse of Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting held at Kochi, Kerala, India.png
Figure 2.Indian scientists at International Polar Meetings and signing of Indo-UAE MoU.png