NEW DELHI: India’s Climate Diplomacy is increasingly getting global recognition but the road ahead is not easy. Modi 3.0’s climate diplomacy will be tested with the task to convince the rich world to fund developing economies to fight climate change.
INTRODUCTION
Climate change is now an existential threat to mankind. This is at the centre of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Without success in climate action, there is little hope that our humanity can achieve any of the SDGs completely. So, there is now increasing focus on climate partnerships, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
India’s global engagement, whether at bilateral, regional or multilateral level, increasingly includes climate concerns. Climate has become a vital part of India’s foreign policy and diplomacy. India’s climate diplomacy is being recognized globally and refers to India’s evolving commitment in addressing global climate challenges. India’s climate diplomacy has emerged as a strategic foreign policy doctrine for us. As India positions herself as a key global player in 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. If the last successful hosting of G-20 provides is any indication, then Modi 3.0 is expected to be high on the climate agenda.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN INDIA’S CLIMATE DIPLOMACY
International Solar Alliance (ISA):
Launched in 2015, the ISA—co-founded 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 mobilizing resources for solar projects. The Sixth Assembly of the ISA in New Delhi in 2023 was a turning point for India’s image both internationally and put the spotlight on India’s role in pushing the climate agenda.
India’s climate diplomacy through the ISA is not just about energy transition but epitomizes 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, India has initiated a myriad of programs to both promote and leverage solar energy and technology, in the areas of agriculture, health care, education, and other development priorities, et al.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI):
India has taken key leadership role in creating CDRI, launched in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York. 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, 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. India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership of 2020 is an inspiring example in this direction. India has similarly signed important bilateral agreements with Australia, Germany, USA, UAE, UK, and France etc.
PRIORITIES FOR MODI 3.0
Climate Finance:
Climate finance is a global issue. It has been estimated that by 2030, the annual climate finance needed may go up to $9 trillion globally. Then, it may jump to over $10 trillion each year from 2031 to 2050. Developing economies are in urgent need of climate funding from the developed world. India has already given a call to the developed world to raise US $1 trillion for the developing countries from 2025 onwards to meet the climate finance needs. But this figure seems very ambitious given the rich nations have not met the existing commitment of US$100 billion a year, so far. It will be a tough negotiation in the forthcoming COP-29 in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. India’s domestic climate finance needs can’t be adequately met without international climate aid.
From South Asia to Global South:
India will be expected to play an important role in the region of South Asia in developing climate resilience. India’s growing acceptance in the Global South as a climate leader will have its challenges and opportunities. India will be required to make financial and diplomatic commitments to stand up to the expectations of the developing world.
Leveraging Technology and Innovation:
India is seen as tech leader in the Global South. Leveraging India’s natural strength in emerging technologies and innovation ecosystem, the Modi 3.0 will have to focus 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 can be incentivized 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 out green technical knowhow with the developing world will be a vital aspect of our climate diplomacy.
CONCLUSION
Even though India’s climate engagement through diplomatic channels has made some significant strides, but several daunting challenges remain. Given India’s rising population and the need to develop at a rapid speed (some economists argue we need to grow at 10% till 2047 and we need to consume more as well if India wants to be a developed economy by then), climate action may be overlooked in our policies and practices. But that would have disastrous effect on India’s ability to lead climate action at the global high table, and for its awe-inspiring soft power.
The rising heat waves, continuously depleting ground water resources and the focus on climate-non-friendly practices in business and agriculture are taking the country to an alarming situation. The climate red alert is already there. But everything is not lost by now.
The opportunity to reverse climate impact is very much within our reach and in the next five years, Modi 3.0 will have to enhance climate action, help industries and businesses create climate finance corpus, strengthen regulatory and institutional frameworks, promote regional and South-South cooperation, balance adaptation and mitigation, leverage emerging and immersive technologies to build on past successes and lead India towards a climate friendly, sustainable and resilient future.
As the world faces increasing climate change challenges, India’s proactive and strategic climate diplomacy has the potential to play a significant role in shaping global climate action.
Sujeet Kumar is a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha and a lawyer.