India's engagement with the Arctic region

India became an observer in Arctic Council in 2013 and has three research stations operational in the poles, including ¿ Maitri ¿ commissioned in 1989 and ¿ Bharati ¿commissioned in 2012 at Antarctic and ¿Himadri¿ at Arctic. Though the Government of India has consistently been extending full support to the research endeavours yet the same is bogged by inadequate research output, lack of dedicated polar research vessel and other bureaucratic bottlenecks. The scientific pursuits can also propel the strategic engagement in the region to greater levels by extensive collaboration and cooperation with several other nations present there. Indian attempts so far have remained acutely short of the promise and India should build on its strengths for obtaining a leadership position in this strategically vital and economically lucrative region. Indian attempts have remained short of the promise and there is immense possibility for India to build on her non hegemonic, non intrusive foreign policy approach to obtain a greater role in the in this strategically vital and economically lucrative region.