India is in talks with Russia about a joint Arctic project that could rival the International Space Station in scientific significance. This is reported the TV BRICS portal.

'Our researchers are supported by a unique vessel—an ice-resistant platform equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology for conducting scientific operations in high latitudes. We have invited Indian colleagues to join us, and they are very interested,' reported Alexander Makarov, director of the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, after discussions with representatives from India's National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research in Goa.

Specialists from this South Asian nation are already involved in Russia's Severny Polyus drifting expedition in the region. Alexander Makarov mentioned that soon there will be a series of working meetings with Indian scientific institutes to explore potential research themes and directions for studying the Arctic environment. The director of AARI highlighted that major projects like the ISS or the Large Hadron Collider are all international endeavours.

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