Scientists from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have teamed up with India for the 45th Antarctic Expedition, as confirmed by the Indian embassy in the UAE. The collaboration involves a group from the UAE’s Khalifa University joining India’s expedition at the Maitri research station. Together, they are exploring Antarctica’s Mars-like landscapes to advance research in polar science and planetary studies.
The joint team’s primary focus is on the Amery Ice-Shelf/Lambert Glacier in Prydz Bay, with a special emphasis on identifying geological components to establish a refined India-Antarctica correlation. This initiative is part of a broader multi-institutional program aimed at enhancing scientific cooperation between the two countries in climate research, earth sciences, and space-related studies.
The scientific partnership between the UAE and India is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Emirates Polar Programme and India’s National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) during the 15th session of the UAE-India Joint Committee Meeting in December 2024. The MoU seeks to strengthen collaboration in polar and ocean research, supporting joint scientific missions in Antarctica and the Arctic, promoting data sharing, and advancing research on climate change, polar ecosystems, and earth system science.
