New York
Amid uncertainty over the US role regarding the Paris climate deal, India today expressed its firm commitment to work for environment above and beyond the Paris agreement.
Speaking at the Leadership Summit on Environment Pact, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said living in harmony with nature and sustainable patterns of consumption was central to Indian ethos. Ms Swaraj pointed to the participants in the Summit that India had been an active participant in global debates relating to environment and development.
The Minister also said the country was ready to work closely with the office of United Nations Secretary General and relevant agencies, especially in the context of the International Solar Alliance. US President Donald Trump had in June announced that his country was leaving the Paris climate deal, arguing that it was tilted in favour of countries like India and China.
India along with 190 countries had entered the agreement at Paris in December 2015. The deal aims to prevent the global average temperature from rising and keeping it well below 2 degree Celsius. Today’s Summit on Environment Pact was hosted by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.