Chetanprakash Kaushik
Introduction:
Environmental geopolitics has emerged as one of the defining themes of the 21st century, shaping diplomacy, development strategies, and the balance of power among nations. The reality of climate change- manifested through rising global temperatures, erratic weather patterns, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity- has shifted the conversation from being solely an environmental concern to a pressing geopolitical challenge. It influences trade, security, and international cooperation, making it impossible for any country to remain isolated from its consequences.
In this context, India occupies a pivotal position. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India faces the dual challenges of ensuring development for its vast population while also contributing to global sustainability. Its role is made complex by the contrast between its historically low per capita emissions and its present status as one of the largest absolute emitters due to population size and energy demands. This dual identity positions India as both a representative of the Global South and a major stakeholder in climate negotiations.
Given the urgency of climate action and the looming 2030 deadline for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India’s participation in global climate negotiations and its leadership in green partnerships are not only necessary but also transformative. They hold the potential to redefine global climate diplomacy while steering India towards sustainable growth.
Why It Matters:
India’s approach to climate negotiations is critical for three reasons:
- Development Needs vs. Environmental Responsibility- India must provide electricity, infrastructure, and livelihoods to millions, yet cannot ignore its responsibility in curbing emissions.
- Voice of the Global South- India consistently advocates for climate justice and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), ensuring fairness in global carbon budgets.
- Strategic Leadership- By launching initiatives such as the Internstional Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), India demonstrates that it is not merely a participant but a solutions provider.
At a time when climate change is accelerating conflicts, displacements, and resource scarcity, India’s ability to balance development with sustainability makes its stance geopolitically significant.
Global and Comparative Insights:
The global climate regime, particularly under the Paris Agreement (2015), has placed responsibility on all nations to pursue ambitious climate actions. While developed nations are expected to take the lead, developing nations like India are increasingly being called upon to contribute more substantially.
India vs. Developed Countries: Unlike the U.S. or the EU, India’s per capita carbon footprint remains significantly lower. Yet, the international community often emphasizes India’s rising emissions. This contradiction underlines why India stresses equity in climate negotiations.
India’s Alliances: Through G20, BRICS, and BIMSTEC, India has highlighted green growth as central to global governance. The 2023 G20 Presidency, under the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” emphasized sustainable lifestyles and inclusive energy transitions.
Comparative Example – Japan & South Korea: While these economies invest heavily in advanced technologies and carbon-neutral roadmaps, India’s strength lies in grassroots renewable initiatives and South-South cooperation through ISA and CDRI.
Thus, India’s strategy represents a pragmatic balance: advocating fairness while simultaneously championing innovation and global partnerships.
Key Challenges:
Despite its proactive stance, India faces significant challenges in environmental geopolitics:
1. Energy Dependency: Coal continues to dominate India’s energy mix, making a rapid transition difficult.
2. Financing Climate Action: Lack of sufficient climate finance from developed countries hampers renewable energy expansion and adaptation projects.
3. Technology Transfer: Many clean technologies remain expensive and inaccessible, limiting large-scale adoption.
4. Global Pressure: Developed nations often push for more stringent commitments without addressing historical emissions and equity concerns.
These challenges highlight the contradictions India must navigate while ensuring growth and sustainability.
Emerging Opportunities:
While obstacles remain, there are also clear opportunities:
- Renewable Energy Leadership: India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 positions it as a leader in clean energy.
- Green Hydrogen Mission: By investing in hydrogen as a fuel of the future, India is preparing for a low-carbon economy.
- Youth Participation: With one of the youngest populations globally, India can empower youth as climate negotiators, researchers, and innovators.
- Global Partnerships: Initiatives with the U.S., EU, and Japan on clean technologies expand India’s influence in climate diplomacy.
Such opportunities not only strengthen India’s climate position but also accelerate its economic growth by creating jobs and new industries.
Analysis and Findings:
India’s environmental diplomacy can be summarized into three key insights:
- Balancing Dual Roles: India represents both the aspirations of the Global South and the responsibilities of a major emitter.
- Soft Power Through Green Partnerships: ISA and CDRI exemplify how India employs environmental initiatives as tools of diplomacy.
- Strategic Economic Linkages: Green transitions are not just ecological necessities but also economic opportunities, fostering industries like solar manufacturing, green hydrogen, and resilient infrastructure.
This reflects a pragmatic but forward-looking approach: India positions itself as a leader of climate justice while also embracing the economic potential of sustainability.
Personal Reflection:
As a student of political science, I view India’s environmental geopolitics as a dynamic blend of responsibility and opportunity. It highlights how diplomacy today extends beyond traditional security or trade and ventures into the realm of ecological survival. For young people like myself, this is an inspiring reminder that our generation can play a decisive role—whether through policy advocacy, innovation, or grassroots climate action.
Conclusion:
India’s role in environmental geopolitics underscores the growing intersection of climate, diplomacy, and development. By advocating for equity and justice while simultaneously launching groundbreaking green partnerships, India has positioned itself as both a defender of the Global South and a global solutions provider.
The road ahead is challenging—marked by financing gaps, energy dependencies, and global expectations. Yet, it is equally filled with opportunity. By leveraging renewable energy, fostering youth leadership, and forging new partnerships, India can not only achieve its climate goals but also emerge as a leader in shaping global climate governance.
Ultimately, India’s stance in climate negotiations is not just about carbon reduction—it is about reimagining development itself. As the world races toward 2030, India’s leadership in environmental geopolitics will play a defining role in ensuring a more just, sustainable, and inclusive global order.
About the contributor: Chetanprakash Kaushik is Final Year Student (B.A. General) at Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur from Jaipur, Rajasthan. He is a fellow of DFPGYF Diplomacy, Foreign Policy & Geopolitics Youth Fellowship- Cohort 2.0.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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Acknowledgement: This article was posted by Shivashish Narayan, a visiting researcher at IMPRI.
