India’s climate diplomacy balances equity, CBDR advocacy, development needs, and climate justice while navigating post-colonial mistrust and international pressure for action.
Authors
Amit Upadhyay, Associate Professor, Jindal Global Law School O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
Abhinav Mehrotra, Associate Professor, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
Summary
India’s engagement in climate diplomacy has been shaped by its unique post-colonial history, domestic developmental challenges, and growing international pressure to address climate change amid worsening climate vulnerabilities. India’s diplomatic discourse regarding climate change has been very complex. It seeks to integrate it into domestic laws and policy while balancing the need for economic development and poverty reduction with environmental protection. As a signatory to various international treaties concerning climate change, India has been active in global climate politics; however, India has often been labeled a “spoiler” in climate negotiations due to its firm stance on equity and differentiated responsibilities.
India strongly advocates for the principle of Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) and acknowledges the historical responsibility of developed nations in contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This principle has been central to India’s climate diplomacy, emphasizing the need for equity in addressing climate change. However, India’s climate diplomacy faces significant challenges on the domestic front, and India must balance its commitment to climate action with its developmental needs. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) reflects its commitment to meeting these challenges, outlining strategies for reducing emissions and promoting sustainability. Yet, India’s development dilemma continues to shape its participation in the international climate regime, where its post-colonial efforts of projecting itself as a victim of Western exploitation often emphasize its mistrust of developed nations and national exceptionalism in its climate discourse. Being a developing country, India has consistently championed the rights of poorer countries in international climate negotiations, advocating for climate justice while simultaneously defending its right to pursue economic growth as a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
Published in: Climate Diplomacy at the Crossroads: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
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