Considering the increasing global demand for energy, rising geopolitical tensions globally , and contested territorial claims near Arctic , is it plausible that the 21st century will see a “scramble for the Arctic” similar to the 19th-century scramble for Africa?
Resources & Suggestions
Mains Answer Writing Latest Articles
On: February 22, 2025
Comments:
0
Indo-US Relation: Areas of Cooperation & Conflicts
Key Areas: Defense, technology, trade, energy, and regional cooperation. Key Areas of Cooperation 1. Defense and Security Transition from buyer-seller to co-production and technology sharing. India as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) and inclusion in STA-1. Access to advanced technologies, ...
On: February 22, 2025
Comments:
0
भारत-अमेरिका संबंध: सहयोग और संघर्ष के क्षेत्र
मुख्य विषय: भारत-अमेरिका संबंधों की मजबूती, विशेषकर रक्षा, प्रौद्योगिकी और क्षेत्रीय सहयोग में प्रगति। सहयोग के प्रमुख क्षेत्र 1. रक्षा एवं सुरक्षा सहयोग भारत और अमेरिका के बीच रक्षा संबंधों का विस्तार। प्रमुख रक्षा साझेदार (MDP) का दर्जा और STA-1 ...
On: February 22, 2025
Comments:
0
India’s Disaster Management
The article discusses the growing tensions between the Centre and states regarding disaster relief funding in India. It emphasizes the need for a transparent and equitable disaster management framework. Key Disaster Threats India Faces Increasing Frequency of Extreme Weather Events ...
Public discourse continues to explore the possibility of an Arctic “scramble,” as if it were some kind of a 19th-century scramble for Africa.
Anti-Scramble for the Arctic:
There are high reserves of oil, gas, minerals, and fisheries in the Arctic, giving the region a big resource potential and making it one of the more interesting regions in which to extract resources.
In some sense, they are strategic avenues because they account for the meltage of the ice with sea and now one can take easier routes between Asia and Europe within less time while at the same time saving many costs. Very high international power competition is prevalent once again today, and many countries will battle to prove some relevance in such a region today.
-Climate Change: Climatic changes have altered the Arctics conditions so fast. This means vast opportunities exist there for extracting its resources and traversing its ocean routes, also spurring an element of contest for controlling this region.
Points Against a “Scramble for the Arctic”:
-International Cooperation: Through the inter-governmental Arctic Council, it is highly successful for building cooperation within the Arctic countries in terms of environmental protection, sustainable development etc.
Environmental Concerns: The Arctic is an extremely fragile system that easily falls victim to environmental destruction. International concern about the preservation of the Arctic environment and responsible development is rapidly on the rise.
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: The rights and interests of indigenous peoples in the Arctic region are increasingly acknowledged and respected.
-Economic and Technological Challenges: Developing in the Arctic environment presents serious economic and technological challenges that could limit the speed of development.
Conclusion
Although the site and potential for conflict and competition over the Arctic region do exist, it is unlikely to be a direct replica of the 19th-century scramble for Africa. The factors that are likely to influence the future of the Arctic region include international cooperation, environmental concerns, and the rights of indigenous peoples.