Dear readers,

Chaos reigns our office nowadays. Partnered with LIGHTS Research Foundation, we are all set to organise the International Conference of Science and Geopolitics, i-SaGAA 2012, at New Delhi on 9-11 March 2012. Why did we choose to work on polar issues? Well, we feel that new and significant trends are emerging in the bi/tri (Himalaya being the third pole) polar discourse that India needs to  understand in order to frame a policy for the future. The world today is confronted with diverse views of myriad nations on governance proposals - as to whether the poles needs a new treaty regime; on frontier research and exploitation of raw materials; on new shipping routes, on fishery development and more. With a changing climatic regime and threats perceived therein it is now pertinent to look towards an amicable understanding amongst intellectuals of various nations. The debate that needs building up is whether the Law of the Sea and resource augmentation of lesser developed Nations can extend beyond the areas of national jurisdiction e.g. central Arctic Ocean. Will the interests of lesser developed countries be safeguarded and scientific cooperation achieved? This issue of G’nY aims to bring to the fore some of these issues. It aims to build an understanding among Indians that the polar discourse is interesting and valuable.

We request our readers to please send in suggestions about the polar trajectory in India to help us put together a white paper for future policy intervention.

Happy reading!