Antarctica, a standing challenge to human endeavour occupies one-tenth of the land surface of our planet Earth, and a tenth of the world ocean. Because of the unique physical conditions in Antarctica - driest, coldest, highest, windiest, remotest - it is also one-of-a-kind scientific laboratory for investigations of the phenomena ranging from microscopic to the earth shaping.

Realising the scientific importance of Antarctica, in addition to strategic, geo- politic, and economic significance in terms of conservation, management and exploitation of living resources in the southern ocean and long term conservation and management of mineral resources (which is currently banned for fifty years), India entered into the realm of polar science in 1981 with the launch of the first scientific expedition. Since then, India has achieved maturity in launching the expedition and conducting front rank polar research in various disciplines by involving more than sixty national institutions in the country. So far nineteen expeditions on an annual basis have been successfully launched to the icy continent. In addition, an expedition to the Weddell Sea and one for Krill assessment studies in the Antarctic waters have also been undertaken. The various disciplines covered by Indian programmes are earth science, meteorology, atmospheric science, Antarctic biology, cold region engineering, alternate sources of energy, and global change. The permanent station 'MAITRI' (70deg 45' 52"S, 11deg 44' 03"E) set up during 1988-89 is maintained round the year to conduct research in the above areas.

The Indian station 'Maitri' situated in the Central Droning Maud land of east Antarctica has provided platform to more than 1250 personnel drawn from about 50 national laboratories, institutes and universities to conduct experiments in all major disciplines of polar sciences. The Indian Army and the Defence Research and Development (DRDO) laboratories have aptly provided the specialised logistics required for the scientific mission.

The ability to conduct front ranking science on a year round basis from our permanent base in Antarctica has ensured India to play a pre-eminent role as a Consultative Member in the Antarctic Treaty system since 1983. The long-term scientific strategy of India in Antarctica is designed mainly to address the issues of national interest and contribute to global campaigns mounted by SCAR in the icy continent. This has prompted the initiation of several international collaborative experiments in various domains of polar science and logistics with France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Argentina, Iran and Peru.

Even while using Antarctica as a platform for conducting scientific research, India has always recognised the importance of preserving the pristine nature of this continent, which controls intricate global processes of the earth. To uphold these commitments, India, an original votary of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, has ratified this Protocol in April 1998 which led to our membership to the Committee on Environment Protection (CEP) during the 22nd Antarctic Treaty meeting held in Norway.