Indian Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivered India’s national statement at the World Leaders’ Summit in Belem, ahead of the COP30 climate conference. He underscored India’s commitment to climate action, multilateral cooperation, and equity-driven solutions, while urging developed nations to shoulder greater responsibility in cutting emissions and supporting developing countries.
Addressing the plenary, Ambassador Bhatia stressed the importance of the “principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities” adopted at the 1992 Rio Summit, calling for global climate efforts to remain anchored in fairness and shared accountability.
“Ten years after the Paris Agreement, global ambition remains inadequate. Many nations’ NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) fall short. While developing countries continue to take decisive climate action, developed nations that have disproportionately consumed the global carbon budget must accelerate emission reductions and deliver the promised, adequate, and predictable support,” he said.
Highlighting the urgency of the climate crisis, Bhatia warned that the global carbon budget is rapidly depleting. He urged developed countries to achieve net-zero emissions sooner than current timelines and move toward net-negative emissions to restore balance. “Given the rapid depletion of the meagre remaining carbon budget, developed countries must reach net zero much sooner than they have declared and invest substantially in reaching net-negative emissions,” he said.
The ambassador also spotlighted India’s progress under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in pursuing a low-carbon development pathway. Between 2005 and 2020, India reduced the emission intensity of its GDP by 36%, with non-fossil power capacity now exceeding 50% of total installed capacity—achieving its revised NDC targets five years ahead of schedule.
Bhatia further highlighted the International Solar Alliance, launched by India and France in 2015, which now includes over 120 countries, promoting affordable solar energy and South-South cooperation.
Reiterating the need for equitable access to resources and technology, he emphasized that “equitable, predictable, and concessional climate finance” remains critical for developing countries. “For developing nations like India, access to affordable finance, technology, and capacity building is vital to implement ambitious NDCs,” he said.
India also expressed support for Brazil’s new initiative, the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), aimed at protecting tropical forests, and announced its decision to join the Facility as an Observer. “India welcomes and supports Brazil’s initiative in establishing the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, representing a significant step towards collective and sustained global action for the preservation of tropical forests,” Bhatia said.
Concluding his address, the ambassador reaffirmed India’s commitment to multilateralism and the preservation of the Paris Agreement framework. “On the occasion of COP30, India reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and towards preserving and safeguarding the architecture of the Paris Agreement, built on the foundations of the Convention,” he added.
