The icy continent of Antarctica belongs to none and open only for nations to conduct scientific activities for peaceful purposes. But big, powerful and technologically-rich countries are casting an evil, greedy eye on its huge petroleum and mineral resources including rare earths. Recent discoveries, through satellite imageries, of an under-construction fifth Chinese base has raised hackles in strategic circles the world over.
There are fears that in the name of engaging in scientific work, countries may diversify their research stations for military purposes. Countries have been setting up research bases over last century. India including, there are over 80 research stations built by over 42 countries. Among these, China has one of the largest presence, but there are concerns that its recent revival of construction work on Inexpressible Island could actually be a military surveillance facility.
According to a report by US think tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), "The ground station is well positioned to collect signals intelligence over Australia and New Zealand and telemetry data on rockets launched from Australia's new Arnhem Space Centre." Increasing Chinese deployment of advanced surveillance facilities of military grade in the polar areas has alarmed western security establishments as these will enable Chinese military to have more surveillance power.
Since the Chinese base is located about 200 km away from the largest and oldest American McMurdo base, the American military would also be tempted to erect additional structures to counter the Chinese facilities. This will lead to a new arms race on Antarctica, as more and more countries would like to deploy facilities and troops to protect their establishments and take military advantage of the terrain and topography of the frozen continent.
So far, China has kept mum over these Western media reports but it will naturally deny the allegations and apprehensions regarding the Chinese base. But western observers opine that like South China Sea, where China has usurped the United Nation’s convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Beijing could do the same with International Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, and use the surveillance facilities for military purposes. Though military experts are permitted under the Antarctic treaty to conduct scientific experiments, they are prohibited from setting up bases or military facilities. Scientists from the US and other western countries are also known to be conducting military-related research, but no facility to conduct or aid in military operations has been observed. The countries are allowed to use military personnel for assisting in setting up bases, raising infrastructure etc. India had also used the services of its Army personnel to set up its first Dakshin Gangotri base on the frozen continent. In fact, India is one among nine elite members having more than one stations.
Xi Had Told His Officials Years Ago To Use Southern Hemisphere To China’s advantage
India marked its presence in early eighties on Antarctica, where it maintains three bases. Considering the significance and prestige attached to the presence on the icy continent, even Pakistan has deployed its research team there. But in view of Chinese surreptitious plans, India also needs to devise an appropriate strategy to checkmate the expansionist moves and be ready with a plan to expand its activities. Since India has no intention to economically or strategically exploit the continent, rich in resources, India must take a lead and raise its voice against militarisation and illegal encroachment of Antarctic area. India has already got voting rights for the management of the Antarctica as one among 29 countries having consultative status. There are 54 signatories to the treaty, which came into force during the height of the Cold War, on June 23, 1961.
India has already started making necessary moves to counter the Chinese militarisation plans. In July 2022, Indian Parliament passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, which provides a regulatory framework for India’s Antarctic activities through legal mechanisms. During the discussion on the bill, Minister for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh had said the "aim is to ensure de-militarisation of the (Antarctic) region along with getting rid of mining or illegal activities".
After all, it would be in the interest of humanity that this frozen continent remains demilitarised. Any intense race to take control of the continent through its military presence and surveillance facilities, besides carrying out mining activities, would result in ecological destruction of the area, further hastening the process of global warming.
Though satellite receiving stations have been operated by Germany, Norway, Japan and the US for a few decades, dual use of such facilities were only highlighted because of China erecting ground receiving station on its fifth base on Antarctica. The Chinese ground station will be receiving and sending signals through its most advanced Beidou Satellite navigation system, which has a resolution of 10 metre accuracy. Though ground receiver stations can provide high accuracy navigation systems, they are also capable of providing high precision military tracking, targeting and coordinating capacities which are preferred by the military. China says the development of the fifth base is meant for enhancing their capacity in understanding Antarctica. But China’s real intent can be gauged from President Xi Jinping's decade old direction to top officials: “...Understand, protect, and use the southern hemisphere to China’s advantage.”
The US defence headquarters Pentagon had in its last year’s report said new Chinese infrastructure was probably intended in part to strengthen its future claims to natural resources and maritime access and improve PLA facilities. China had earlier rejected allegations that the bases would be used for exploiting resources or for military espionage purposes. The Chinese satellite ground station on Antarctica can also be used to intercept communications of other rival nations. China’s new station is only 200 miles away from the US McMurdo research base, situated in the Ross Sea area, the largest on the continent.
After initiating its fifth base construction work in 2018 China had declared a special legislative provision for its bases on Antarctic area. Similar to its activities on South China Sea, China has declared an Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA), which is an area of 18,964 square km, near its Kunlun base. Antarctic observers fear that in the name of ecological maintenance of the area China may claim sovereign rights over the region and may not allow other countries to set up research bases there. Such exclusive areas are likely to be declared for its other bases also, thus expanding its claim of genuine rights to hold national control of the specific areas. Antarctica may thus turn into another zone of arms race and possible conflict, as disputes may arise over the territorial limits.
The author is a senior journalist and strategic affairs editor.
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