P. Whitney Lackenbauer is Associate Professor of History at St. Jerome‘s University (University of Waterloo),
Canada.
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India‟s Arctic Engagement:
Emerging Perspectives
P. Whitney Lackenbauer
This article examines critically examines the writings of five Indian commentators: Indian Council of World Affairs
research director Vijay Sakhuja, former foreign secretary Shyam Saran, retired Army colonel P.K. Gautam and
Navy commander Neil Gadihoke, and political scientist Sanjay Chaturvedi of Punjab University. It subsequently
assesses India‘s perspective and potential strategic and policy directions in the Arctic region. Indian policy discourse has
yet to produce a coherent or ―dominant‖ opinion on the country‘s place in Arctic affairs. Nevertheless, several trends
are evident, including an emphasis on a ‗polar race‘ narrative; a view of Arctic as a ―common heritage of mankind‖ in
need of protection; and a geo-economic perspective that seeks strategic positioning for future resource exploitation and
shipping accessibility.
Asia‘s growing interest in the Arctic region has attracted global attention. Most international media
and academic commentary fixates on China, given its dramatic economic rise and the widely held
misperception that it claims some portion of the Arctic Ocean (Jakobsen and Peng 2012; Manicom
and Lackenbauer 2013; Solli et al, 2013). With increased Asian pressure for access to circumpolar
discussions, questions abound whether the existing suite of Arctic governance institutions is
sufficiently robust and inclusive to deal with regional challenges in the twenty-first century.
India‘s Arctic ambitions have attracted less academic and popular attention in the Arctic states. In
light of the south Asian country‘s recent accession to ―permanent‖ observer status, its perceived