India’s Climate Diplomacy, a continuum of our glorious civilisational traditions, is increasingly getting global recognition. A strategic foreign policy doctrine for the country, it lays emphasis upon India’s evolving commitment in addressing climate challenges, the world over. With India positioning itself as a key global player in the international climate negotiations and as the natural leader of the global South, understanding the successes so far and the way forward in climate diplomacy is crucial for shaping future strategies.
The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference also called the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, or COP29, is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan this week. And just like COP28 in Dubai did, COP29 too emphasises on the urgent need for investment in climate action and focuses on advancing the energy transition agenda. Climate Change has now become an existential threat to the mankind, and it is at the center of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Without achieving success in climate action, meeting any of the SDGs seems far-fetched, there seems little hope for that. As a result, there is now an increasing focus on climate partnerships, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
India’s global engagement, be it at bilateral, regional or multilateral level, has climate concerns at its core. It is a vital part of India’s foreign policy and diplomacy, and is being recognised globally. It shows India’s evolving commitment in addressing global climate challenges. During the first two terms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India positioned itself as a key global player in international climate negotiations, the tempo is likely to maintained during Modi’s third term as well, meaning thereby that climate would remain at the top of Modi 3.0 priority list. Our millennia-old civilisation has shaped our climate world-view as also the Modi government’s response to the climate crisis. Living in harmony with Nature and reverence for the Mother Earth are integral to Sanatan Dharma, and epitomises our climate response. We, in Bharat, have been revering the elements of Nature, including our forests and trees, since time immemorial. The theme of India’s G20 presidency last year (2023), One Earth, One Family, One Future, was also inspired by the ancient Sanskrit scripture, the Maha Upanishad. It emphasises upon the importance of all life on Earth and in the universe, as well as the inter-connectedness of all living beings. The theme also promotes LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a mission which was introduced to the world by PM Modi at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow.
Our Constitution too places an obligation on the State to protect the environment and wildlife. Article 48-A reads “The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.” In Article 51-A (g), the Constitution further enjoins that “It shall be duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life and to have compassion for living creatures.”
India’s Achievements in Climate Diplomacy
International Solar Alliance (ISA): Launched in 2015, the ISA, founded jointly by India, the UAE, and France, is a coalition of 124 countries aimed at promoting solar energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. It represents a major success in India’s climate diplomacy, fostering international cooperation and works towards mobilising resources for solar projects. The Sixth Assembly of the ISA in New Delhi (in 2023) was a turning point for India’s image internationally and put the spotlight on its role in pushing the climate agenda ahead. India’s climate diplomacy through the ISA is not just about energy transition but epitomises the larger geopolitical and geo-strategic agenda. The alliance has cemented India’s engagement with the global South across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. Through the ISA platform, the country has initiated several programs to leverage and promote solar energy and technology in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, education, and other development priorities.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): India has taken key leadership role in creating CDRI, which was launched in 2019 in New York at the UN Climate Action Summit. Headquartered in Delhi, this global partnership of national governments, UN ecosystem, multilateral agencies, the corporate sector, academic institutions and think-tanks, aims to improve infrastructural resilience to meet climate and disaster risks, thereby contributing to the achievement of SDGs. This Indian diplomatic initiative to tackle climate change and disasters has garnered international support, and is a prime example of our climate diplomacy.
Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements: India’s diplomatic initiatives for climate action have become a vital part of India’s foreign policy. India has been signing various bilateral and multilateral declarations and agreements highlighting the need to factor climate reality and sustainability requirements.
Natural Leader of Global South: India’s increasingly important role and growing acceptance in Global South as a tech and climate leader has provided tremendous opportunities, and the Indian Government has been making financial, technological and diplomatic commitments to stand up to the expectations of the developing world.
Leveraging India’s natural strength in emerging technologies and innovation ecosystem, the Modi 3.0 is focusing on green, climate-friendly and sustainability-promoting technologies that are cost-effective, scalable and transferable to other developing economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The thriving private sector and the research institutions are being incentivised to drive innovations in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate smart solutions that can be applied to agriculture, health, education, construction, fashion and other carbon intensive sectors. Sharing our green technical knowhow with the developing world has always been a vital aspect of our climate diplomacy. We can hence conclude that India’s ability to lead climate action at the global high-table has not just contributed immensely to its increasing soft power, but has also been well-recognised across the world. As the world faces several climate change challenges, India’s model of sustainable development and proactive and strategic climate diplomacy has the potential to play a significant role in shaping global climate action. The age-old Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One family) today resonates across world capitals, and the world is convinced that we will be unable to solve a global collective action problem like climate change unless we truly adapt this timeless ethos from the land of Bharat.
