Arctic Ambitions: China, India, and the Arctic Council
Evelyne DeBoeck and Ebba Mårtensson
May 14-15, 2013, the Arctic Council will decide on whether to admit India and China as observers to the organization.India and China consider the Arctic as a region of increasing global importance, and both are seeking to establish a strong presence there through substantial investments in research, resources, and infrastructure. Admitting India and China provides a valuable opportunity to acknowledge their presence and engage with their interests. Keeping the door closed will push India and China to turn to other forums such as the International Maritime Organization and the UN, shifting the center of Arctic governance away from the Arctic Council and its members. If the Arctic Council wants to consolidate itself as the central institution for Arctic governance, it will have to give China and India a seat at the table.
Related Publications
-
European Economic Self-defense in the Face of Authoritarianism
Economic coercion by states has always been present in one form or the other, but the challenges have escalated to an unprecedented level in today’s globalized economy. Most notably, as […]
-
Climate Security in the Indo-Pacific: Priorities and Challenges
The climate vulnerabilities of the Indo-Pacific region have grown immensely with grave implications for regional, national, human, and ecological security. Climate action has been prioritized by most countries, including by […]
-
Taiwan holds all the chips in US–China tech showdown
Introduction: US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in August 2022 touched on the island’s sovereignty — a controversial, historical ‘red line’ in China’s foreign relations. The […]
-
India and the Persian Gulf: Bilateralism, Regional Security and the China Factor
Abstract: This issue brief discusses how regional security in the Persian Gulf is vital for the international oil and gas market, and maritime security in the western Indian Ocean. For […]
-
Merkel’s China Legacy
Abstract Angela Merkel’s time as the Chancellor of Germany is soon coming to an end. An unofficial mainstay of the European Union, she leaves office having helped put in place […]
-
Water as a Political Security Tool: The Himalaya’s Strategic Conundrum
Abstract Fresh water has no substitute, and its availability has been declining sharply around the globe. In Asia, China’s role as a multidirectional and trans-border water provider is debatable. Analysis […]