Antarctica and the indian ocean states: The interplay of law, interests, and geopolitics

Abstract

Abstract The Indian Ocean littoral states represent a microcosm of the Group of 77 members that began to dabble in Antarctic politics during the 1980s and used the United Nations General Assembly as their main forum. The economic interests and legal priorities of these developing countries have come into conflict with the Antarctic Treaty System, the legal arrangement of largely non‐Indian Ocean states that has evolved for administering the region. Recent developments in Antarctic affairs may exacerbate the tensions in the frozen south: the “Malaysian initiative”; to extend the notion of “common heritage of mankind”; to the Antarctic; the impending 1991 date and the possible convening of an Antarctic Treaty review conference; and the apparent collapse of the 1988 Antarctic mineral resource treaty because of the opposition of France and Australia—these circumstances may complicate the Antarctic legal situation and make future scientific cooperation and peaceful uses only of the region more difficult. If a minerals regime is eventually put in place, the critical test will come in the protection and conservation of the fragile Antarctic environment. As population pressures mount, Indian Ocean littoral states are likely to perceive greater economic opportunities in the Antarctic. The key to realizing benefits for all interested states from future activities in the Antarctic is stability of the management regime, a quality commendably supplied for 30 years by the Antarctic Treaty System.