Washington, May 10 (PTI) India might become an observer of the Arctic Council though its membership is not open unless a country has territory above the Arctic Circle, a US official has said.
"The Arctic Council is not open for membership unless a nation has territory above the Arctic Circle. India does not (have such territory). India might be able to become an observer of the Council, and be able to participate in that way in many of the working groups the Arctic Council has set up on a number of different topics," said US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries David Balton.
India and other non-Arctic nations can also engage in Arctic issues in a lot of other places around the world, Balton told reporters ahead of the Arctic Council Ministerial here.