The first ever India and Finland Arctic Dialogue with the theme “The Himalayan and Arctic Ecosystems: India-Finland Partnership for a Sustainable Future” was organized January 21, 2026, at the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi.

The half a day seminar gathered representatives from academic, political and economic sectors – all of which are needed in order to create sustainable future for the Arctic. A delegation led by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs attended the event and Finland was represented by Ambassador for Arctic Affairs Mr. Kalle Kankaanpää, Director General Mr. Jari Sinkari of the Department for Asia and Oceania from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and by Ms. Olga Oinas-Panuma, Member of the Finnish Parliament and Chair of the Finnish Delegation to the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region.

The main speaker of the Indian delegation was Ms. Pooja Kapur, Additional Secretary (Northern Europe) from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

Ms. Kapur reminded everyone of India’s longstanding and significant involvement in Arctic research over many years and noted that the country’s engagement in the Arctic has broadened from science to other sectors as well. She emphasized that through strengthened cooperation, Finland and India possess considerable potential to develop innovations that will benefit the entire Arctic region as well as future generations who are affected by transformations in the Arctic across the globe.

Ms. Pooja Kapur from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the importance of Arctic research but also identified that the Arctic is becoming increasingly important for example in connectivity and economic development. Photo: Marko Junttila.
Ambassador of India to Finland, Mr. Hemant H. Kotalwar was the main initiator of the event and was very pleased to see the first India-Finland Arctic dialogue become concrete in such a high level. Photo: Marko Junttila.
Member of the Finnish Parliament Ms. Olga Oinas-Panuma reminded that it is in our own hands whether the Arctic becomes a hotspot for environmental and other crises, is treated merely as a mineral reserve, or develops into a good and prosperous place to live. Ambitious Arctic policies are needed both nationally and globally. Photo: Marko Junttila.
The event was concluded with a panel discussion represented by researchers from several disciplines. Issues such as climate interventions, just green transition, geopolitics, governance of deep-sea mining, role of non-arctic states in Arctic governance and Arctic–Himalaya connection through international law were discussed. Photo: Marko Junttila.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Arctic Centre, University of Lapland and the Embassy of India in Helsinki with a strong support from the City of Rovaniemi.

Programme of the event:

India and Finland Arctic Dialogue –
“The Himalayan and Arctic Ecosystems: India-Finland Partnership for a Sustainable Future”

Time: Wednesday 21, January 2026
Place: Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi

Organizers: Embassy of India in Finland and Arctic Centre, University of Lapland

Opening of the event

– Moderator – Markku Heikkilä, Head of Science Communications, Arctic Centre
– Antti Syväjärvi, Rector, University of Lapland
– Eemeli Kajula, Chair of City Council, City of Rovaniemi

Welcome remarks

– Pooja Kapur, Additional Secretary (Northern Europe), Ministry of External Affairs, India
– Jari Sinkari, Director General, Department for Asia and Oceania, MFA, Finland
– Hemant H. Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to Finland

Special remarks and overview of Arctic policies of India and Finland

– Kalle Kankaanpää, Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, Finland
– Olga Oinas-Panuma, MP, Chair, Finnish Delegation to the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region
– Manish Tiwari, Group Director, Arctic Operations, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), India
– Liisa Ansala, CEO, Lapland Chamber of Commerce

Panel discussion on shared climate challenges and cooperation opportunities between the Himalayas and the Arctic

– Professor John Moore, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
– Professor Kamrul Hossain, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
– Associate Fellow Sayantan Halder, Observer Research Foundation, India
– Researcher Krittika Singh, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
– Professor Sanna Kopra, Arctic Centre
– Researcher Medy Dervovic, Arctic Centre  
– Senior Researcher Tanja Joona, Arctic Centre