New Delhi, Aug. 3 (PTI): Five Indians today set off for the icy Arctic on the country's first scientific expedition to the region, 26 years after its scientists set their feet in the diametrically opposite Antarctic.

India's scientific interest in the Arctic is expected to throw more light on the link the northern polar region has with the country's monsoon as studies have shown that there exists a "tele-connection" between the two.

The experts led by Rasik Ravindra, Director of National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, will be stationed at the research station in Ny Alesund, 1,231 km from the North Pole, till September five during which they will be conducting a series of experiments.

Flagging off the five-member team, Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal termed the expedition to the Arctic as "historic" and said the studies in the region would provide more information on the global climate changes.

"Changes taking place in the polar region are felt in a substantial way and the extent of its impact can be gauged from research. We should utilise the data from the region for understanding the changing scenario," Sibal said.

He said India's long term goal in the Arctic include sending "higher" vessels to the region. A ministry official said they were planning to send a ship to the region during 2009-10.

"We plan to continue our exploration in the region. We need to validate data to ascertain the link the region has with India's monsoon," he said.