Panel suggests appointing ambassador for Arctic affairs

Published 30 July 2026 · politics

A report by the Committee on External Affairs of the 18th Lok Sabha has recommended that a dedicated representative or Ambassador be appointed to coordinate

A report by the Committee on External Affairs of the 18th Lok Sabha has recommended that a dedicated representative or Ambassador be appointed to coordinate with relevant countries on polar and Arctic-related policy matters. The External Affairs Ministry has informed the committee that the Arctic-related policies are looked after by the Polar Cell in the United Nations Economic and Social Division of the Ministry even though many countries are now adopting an “institutionalised" approach to handle Arctic-related issues, including appointing a Polar/Arctic Affairs Ambassador. The committee suggested that India should upgrade its present ‘observer status’ in the Arctic Council to the level of ‘member status’ whenever the Council undergoes a review. The Committee was told by the Ministry that it consults Indian embassies abroad and government agencies and Ministries to follow a “focused and sustained” policy approach on Polar and Arctic-related issues.

“However, as informed by the Ministry of External Affairs, many countries are exploring institutionalised or dedicated mechanisms to handle polar related issues, including appointing a Polar/Arctic Affairs Ambassador or a dedicated representative/Committee/desk to deal with the matter,” stated the report titled ‘India’s Role and Presence in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions’. The report noted that all Arctic Council Member States and most Non-Arctic Observer States such as Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea have Polar/Arctic Ambassador with a dedicated Polar/Arctic Affairs Desk. “It is imperative that India also has such an ambassador at a level equivalent to other countries exclusively to deal with polar regions,” stated the report advising that having such an ambassador will help India in dealing with these regions better.

“The Committee, therefore, recommend the Government to consider appointing a polar ambassador for polar engagement and facilitating collaboration,” the report stated. The role of India in the Arctic Council is of importance as the Himalayan range is considered to be the third pole because of ice deposits that have a global importance. The committee expressed satisfaction in India’s performance as part of the Arctic Council but noted that “there are several limitations on Observer countries as they cannot take part in decision making process”. They said that as an ‘observer’ India cannot make “financial contribution or undertake research in the Arctic region directly”. The Arctic Council consists of member states Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the U.S. and 13 observer states (France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, U.K., India, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Italy and Switzerland) and Arctic indigenous groups.