Fostering maritime collaboration, two scientists from Mauritius and one from Bangladesh have joined the 43rd Antarctic expedition of India, led by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research in Goa. The scientists boarded the vessel in Cape Town on December 20, 2023, marking a significant stride in international cooperation in polar research.
This collaborative effort stems from the maiden Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Oceanographers and Hydrographers conference held in Goa and Hyderabad in November 2022. The conference laid the foundation for scientific partnerships among the CSC nations, facilitating joint initiatives for oceanographic and hydrographic studies.
Previously, scientists from the CSC nations embarked on a month-long scientific expedition in the Indian Ocean Region in June 2023 aboard the ‘Sagar Nidhi,’ further strengthening the bonds of collaboration.
The scientists joining the Antarctic expedition will be actively engaged for a period of 3-4 months, undertaking collaborative research across various disciplines related to polar science. This unique endeavor aims to deepen the understanding of the nuances of polar logistics and the challenges posed by the polar environment.