India today favoured increased cooperation in the Arctic Council in view of the geo-strategic importance of the Arctic Sea and the region's important role in governing climate change that has global consequences.
The Arctic Council is a high-level inter-governmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments. India along with some other Asian countries in 2013 were given permanent observer's status in the Arctic Council.
"India would like to seek an increased participation in the Arctic Council. We realise that the Arctic holds special importance for its role in governing climate change.
"As one of the leading members in scientific research, India has a lot to offer," Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said addressing a seminar on 'Arctic: Science and Strategy Come Face to Face'.
He said the opening of the northern sea route during summer is likely to emerge as a major shipping lane in future with the possibility of finding vast amount of hydro-carbon resources in the Arctic circle.
The Arctic sea melt also has a scientific, economic as well as geo-political dimensions, he observed.
The Arctic region is also of special significance to the Indian sub-continent as several studies indicate as apparent link between the polar atmospheric processes and the Indian monsoon intensity.
"Though such teleconnections are a matter of academic debate, a comprehensive understanding of the Arctic is therefore of special importance for monsoon-dependent agrarian economy like ours," he said.
The Minister's speech was read out by Science and Technology Secretary Shailesh Nayak.
