PM Modi highlights India’s position as ‘first’ country on Paris Agreement commitments at G20 summit

On Tuesday (local time), Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s commitment to sustainable development and emphasised that the country is the “first” to achieve its obligations under the Paris Agreement.

In his speech at the G20 Session on “Sustainable Development and Energy Transition” at the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi emphasized India’s efforts to advance sustainability in important areas including housing, water resources, electricity, and sanitation.

“At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro today, I spoke on a topic which is very important for the future of the planet–Sustainable Development and Energy Transition,” PM Modi said in a summary of his speech on the social networking site X. I reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for the Sustainable Development Goals. In order to create a more sustainable future, India has implemented a number of projects in the last ten years in areas including housing, energy, water resources, and sanitation.

PM Modi emphasized that India met its targets under the Paris Agreement earlier than expected. A legally binding international agreement, the Paris Agreement aims to address climate change and prepare for its impacts.

At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro today, I spoke on a topic which is very important for the future of the planet- Sustainable Development and Energy Transition. I reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to the Sustainable Development Agenda. Over the past decade, India has… pic.twitter.com/6JtfGWjiSS

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 19, 2024

“India has become the first to fulfill its obligations under the Paris Agreement ahead of time, thanks to our cultural values. Building on this, we’re moving faster to achieve bigger objectives in areas like renewable energy. This dedication is shown by our efforts to establish the biggest solar rooftop program in the world,” PM Modi said.

In order to promote a sustainable future, he also emphasized India’s cooperation with the Global South and the country’s efforts via programs like the Global Biofuels Alliance and the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” tree-planting project.

“With an emphasis on accessible technology and reasonably priced climate funding, India is sharing its successful projects with the Global South. “We are still actively working towards sustainable progress, from establishing the Global Biofuels Alliance and advocating for ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ to planting a billion trees under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,'” he said.

More information on PM Modi’s attendance at the third session of the G20 Brazil Summit, where he emphasized the significance of stepping up efforts for a cleaner, more sustainable future, was released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The ‘Varanasi Principles on LiFE,’ the International Solar Alliance, and the Global Biofuels Alliance were cited as important initiatives that helped achieve this objective.

“PM Modi underlined the importance of accelerating efforts to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future for all, including through mainstreaming ‘Varanasi Principles on LiFE’ and initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, One World-One Sun-One Grid, and the Global Biofuels Alliance,” Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the MEA, wrote

Prior to this, PM Modi had important bilateral talks with world leaders, such as US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He provided updates on X from these talks, emphasizing the development of international collaborations.