The geopolitical lessons from the Arctic to Antarctica.

The two Polar Regions Arctic and Antarctica are geographically different, the Arctic, an ocean covered by ice and Antarctica, a landmass surrounded by waters of the Southern Ocean. The Arctic is governed by the 'Arctic Council', comprising the five Arctic littoral countries who have their respective national jurisdictions over the Arctic region and function under various international treaties and conventions. The Antarctic continent does not belong to any single country as per the 'Antarctic Treaty'; it "freezes" territorial claims of the continent and devotes Antarctica to peace and science. Though the Treaty takes a "bifocal" approach to neither recognise nor deny territorial claims, however there are currently 55 contracting parties associated to research activities on the continent. Though the Polar Regions are increasingly getting securitised due to their natural wealth and resources, this paper concludes that the regions should be a place of peace and cooperation to preserve its vulnerable and unique environment for humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]