The China and India’s Activities in the Arctic Council: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Aim and tasks. To examine the participation of China and India in the work of the Arctic Council by considering 3 criteria and compare the performance of 2 countries in the work of the Council based on these indicators.Methods. Structural-analytical approach, document analysis, comparative analysis, generalization and synthesis.Results. There are formulated 3 criteria in the article: the number of delegates sent by China and India to the meetings of the Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council (SAO AC); the number of projects in which both countries participate within the framework of the Council’s working groups; the content of these projects and their distribution among the Council’s groups. The lists of participants in the meetings of the SAO AC and the reports Beijing and Delhi submitted to the institution in question were studied to identify the indicators. Based on the consideration of these indicators, a comparative analysis of the participation of China and India in the work of the Arctic Council was conducted.Conclusions. China is represented at SAO AC meetings by more delegates (2) than India (1-2 depending on the meeting). China implemented the largest number of projects in 2021-2023, India in 2019-2021. China increases its presence in the activities of the Council’s working groups with each period. The number of projects in which India participates jumps from period to period. China participated in 63 projects during the period 2013-2023, while India participated in 62 (this figure for India is not exact). Both countries focus on projects implemented within the framework of PAME, CAFF and AMAP, which is related to the environmental, climate and energy policies of the states. However, India does not participate in the projects of the EPPR group, which is an omission. Overall, China participates in the AC to a greater extent than India, and thus actually implements environmental policies in the Arctic.