Kiren Rijiju Launches Maiden Indian Winter Arctic Expedition

Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju today launched the maiden Indian Winter Arctic Expedition in New Delhi. This expedition is comprised of four scientists who will visit the Arctic region to make atmospheric observations during the night. The scientists will also carry out auroral studies and changes in sea ice. Meanwhile, India has also had observer status on the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) since 2011.

With this expedition, India will now have a year-long presence at Himadri as India’s Arctic research station, located in Spitsbergen in Norway, as it has in the Antarctic, near the South Pole. Meanwhile, India’s vision behind launching the first Winter Arctic Expedition is to expand the country’s scientific activities to other critical and core Arctic realms.