India has reiterated its commitment to international climate cooperation, urging countries to work towards a fair, balanced and ambitious outcome at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), being held in Antalya, Türkiye.
Emphasising the principles of climate justice, equity and shared responsibility, India called for greater attention to the needs of developing nations, particularly those in the Global South. It also stressed that developed countries must fulfil their financial commitments under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement to support climate action in developing economies.
Delivering India's opening statement at COP31, Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, expressed appreciation to Türkiye and Australia for their leadership in guiding the climate conference. He also acknowledged the efforts of participating countries and negotiating groups in strengthening international cooperation on climate issues.
India stated that it associates itself with the positions expressed by the G77 and China, the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) group and the BASIC group, underlining the importance of collective representation of developing nations in global climate negotiations.
India Reaffirms Faith in Global Climate Cooperation
Highlighting the importance of multilateral cooperation, India maintained that the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement remain the most inclusive international platforms for addressing climate change, where every country has an opportunity to participate and express its concerns.
India reiterated its commitment to the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). These principles recognise that all countries share responsibility for addressing climate change, but their obligations and contributions should take into account their different circumstances, capacities and historical responsibilities.
Welcoming the COP31 Presidency's vision of a 'COP of Implementation', based on Dialogue, Consensus and Action, India emphasised that meaningful discussions help build mutual trust, consensus creates shared ownership of decisions, and effective action ensures that international commitments translate into tangible results.
Climate Equity Becomes More Important as Global Warming Intensifies
India also drew attention to the growing urgency of climate action amid increasing concerns over global temperatures crossing the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold.
It stressed that equity must remain at the heart of international climate negotiations to ensure that vulnerable communities and developing economies are not left behind. According to India's position, climate action must be pursued alongside the legitimate development aspirations and welfare needs of its people.
The country further highlighted the importance of a just transition, ensuring that the shift towards a low-carbon economy does not place an unfair burden on workers, communities and developing nations.
Adaptation to climate change was also identified as a major priority, particularly for countries in the Global South. These nations often face significant climate-related vulnerabilities while simultaneously dealing with challenges involving poverty reduction, infrastructure development and economic growth.
India Seeks Fulfilment of Climate Finance Commitments
Climate finance emerged as one of the key concerns highlighted in India's statement. The country emphasised that financial assistance from developed nations, particularly public funding, remains essential for enabling developing countries to implement climate policies and strengthen their resilience against climate-related risks.
India specifically referred to Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which places an obligation on developed countries to provide financial resources to developing nations for climate action.
It underlined that predictable and adequate financial support is particularly important for strengthening adaptation measures, helping vulnerable communities prepare for climate-related disasters and supporting sustainable development.
India maintained that without the fulfilment of these financial commitments, developing countries could face additional difficulties in balancing climate responsibilities with their economic and social development priorities.
Focus on Adaptation and a Just Transition
India reiterated that climate negotiations must address not only emission reduction targets but also the practical challenges faced by developing countries. Adaptation, access to finance, technology support and a fair transition towards sustainable development must receive adequate attention.
The country also emphasised that climate policies should recognise the different national circumstances of participating countries rather than follow a uniform approach.
India Ready to Work Towards a Balanced COP31 Outcome
Concluding its opening statement, India reaffirmed its willingness to engage constructively with all participating nations to achieve a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at COP31.
India's position reflects its continued emphasis on climate multilateralism, equitable responsibility, financial support and the development priorities of the Global South.
As international negotiations continue in Antalya, the country has called for meaningful cooperation and the implementation of existing commitments so that global climate efforts deliver practical benefits to people and communities across the world.