India and the Emerging Geopolitics of the Antarctic

The Antarctic is emerging as a new space for geopolitical contestations. Politicisation of discussions during annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and emerging aspirations of countries to dominate the region pose significant challenges to Antarctic governance. China’s expanding footsteps through its new research bases with dual-use critical infrastructures and its increasing interest in fishing and other Antarctic resources raise global concerns. In this existing model of Antarctic governance, with possibilities and probabilities of structural changes in the future, there are several key areas where India needs to prioritise its engagements to fulfil its broader national interests in the Antarctic.