Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
2) Technological and climatic trends could see the Arctic region emerge as a hotspot of great power competition in the times ahead. Elaborate. (250 words)
Why this question:
US President Donald Trump’s recent offer to buy Greenland appeared to come out of the blue. It is, however, indicative of the emerging geopolitics of the Arctic region, where climate change and China are fast destabilizing the status quo, throwing up political, security, legal, and environmental challenges.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects us to bring out the significance of Arctic region as hotspot of global power centre in terms of resources that it has to offer owing to the technological and climatic trends it is witnessing currently.
Directive:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief start by explaining – India’s footprint in the Arctic oil and gas sector is increasing with Indian state-run companies investing $5 billion in various oil projects in the Russian far-east.
Body:
Explain the significance of Arctic region.
Oil and natural gas are particularly important for the energy hungry Asia-Pacific region. With the Arctic opening up for exploration, drilling in inaccessible and remote areas seem promising.
Discuss the issues underlining arctic politics.
Throw light upon India’s position amidst these issues.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
