Climate Action Is Opportunity, Not Constraint: Vice-President
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan lights the ceremonial lamp at the inauguration of the Bharat Climate Forum 2026, alongside forum leadership and dignitaries, in New Delhi on Friday.
NEW DELHI: Climate action should be viewed as a strategic opportunity to accelerate inclusive growth, strengthen energy security and build a future-ready economy, Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan said while inaugurating the Bharat Climate Forum 2026.
Addressing policymakers, industry leaders and experts, the Vice-President said India’s engagement with climate and sustainability is deeply rooted in its civilisational ethos. Long before sustainability became a global concern, Indian traditions emphasised harmony between human activity and nature through practices such as water conservation, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity protection, guided by principles like Prakriti and Aparigraha.
He said India’s development trajectory over the past decade has focused on balancing growth with equity and present needs with future responsibility. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has redefined how a developing country approaches climate responsibility without compromising its development priorities.
Referring to India’s Panchamrit commitments announced at COP-26, the Vice-President said the goals provide a clear pathway to a low-carbon future, including the target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, while remaining mindful of developmental imperatives.
Emphasising the role of clean-technology manufacturing, he said a developed India cannot be built on imported technologies or fragile supply chains. India’s growth, he said, must be anchored in homegrown clean technologies, resilient manufacturing ecosystems and a future-ready workforce. He noted that the country is emerging as a global manufacturing hub in renewable energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, electric mobility, sustainable materials, climate-smart agriculture and digital climate solutions.
The Vice-President said Indian companies are investing heavily in solar modules, batteries, electric vehicle components, electrolyzers and green fuels, while start-ups are driving innovation in climate data, energy efficiency and waste management.
On global cooperation, he said climate change is a shared challenge that demands collective action. India’s approach to partnerships, he added, is based on collaboration without dependence. He highlighted India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure as examples of its commitment to affordable, scalable solutions and resilient development.
The event was attended by Bharat Climate Forum Chairman N. K. Singh, Convenor Meenakshi Lekhi, Co-Chair Sumant Sinha, President Ashwani Mahajan, and delegates from across the world.
