Svalbard Treaty
Context:
In a recent joint statement following the India-Russia summit, both nations welcomed progress in bilateral cooperation on the Northern Sea route and Arctic-related issues.
This highlights India's long-standing scientific interest in the Arctic region, which predates its independence, tracing back to the signing of the Svalbard Treaty in 1920
About Svalbard Treaty (1920):
Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago, located midway between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole.
The treaty was signed on February 9, 1920, in Versailles(Paris), following negotiations at the end of World War I.
It was created to resolve conflicts over mineral deposits and land rights in the archipelago, which had previously been a kind of international commons.
The treaty grants Norway full and absolute sovereignty over the Svalbard archipelago.
So far 48 member countries have signed the treaty, including India.
Key Principles:
Non-Discrimination:
Citizens and companies from all signatory nations (currently 48, including India) enjoy equal rights to access and residence.
They can conduct non-military, commercial, and scientific activities like fishing, hunting, and mining on an equal footing.
Demilitarization:
Article 9 prohibits the establishment of naval bases or fortifications and ensures the territory is not used for warlike purposes.
Taxes collected in Svalbard must be used exclusively for the administration and development of the islands; they cannot be transferred to mainland Norway
Norway is responsible for preserving the natural environment of the islands.
Geographical Scope of the Treaty:
The Treaty does not explicitly address the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or continental shelf beyond Svalbard’s territorial waters.
Norway asserts that the Treaty does not apply to these areas, as the treaty was established well before the UNCLOS, which formalized the EEZ concept.
However, countries such as Russia, Iceland, and the Netherlands have disagreed, arguing that the principle of equal treatment should extend to these areas.
India's Connection:
The British government signed the treaty in 1920, which allows India (as a successor state/signatory) to maintain a presence in the region.
This legal framework supports India's current scientific endeavors, such as its research station Himadri.