At the Arctic Circle India Forum held in New Delhi on May 3-4, 2025, Milind Deora, a Rajya Sabha MP and Arctic Circle advisory board member, stressed India’s growing role in Arctic research, climate resilience, and geopolitics. He highlighted the urgent need for India to be proactive in Arctic matters, with significant implications for the country’s climate and monsoon patterns.

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• Arctic Circle India Forum took place on May 3-4, 2025, in New Delhi
• Milind Deora emphasized India’s need for deeper Arctic engagement, both scientifically and geopolitically
• Deora has been involved with Arctic issues for nearly 20 years, focusing on climate and research
• India must focus on the Arctic’s environmental, geo-economic, and geopolitical potential
• Government leadership is critical for Arctic engagement, not private sector-led initiatives
• Arctic climate changes directly affect India’s monsoon and agriculture
• Deora calls for public education to raise awareness on Arctic impacts
• The forum saw participation from global leaders, scientists, and policymakers
• Deora and Anurag Thakur will lead a cross-party delegation to Iceland for the Arctic Assembly later this year
• The Arctic Circle and ORF co-hosted the event with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Earth Sciences