NEW DELHI: US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed to team up and combat climate change by cooperating to reduce air pollution in Indian cities and ramping up finance and technology for India's ambitious Rs 6 lakh crore renewable energy push. Obama stressed the importance of India's voice in climate talks and efforts to reach a global agreement on the issue. Modi said India was acting with a sense of responsibility towards future generations, not under international pressure. The two leaders also agreed to work together to adjust to the adverse effects of climate change such as variations in rainfall pattern, rising sea levels and falling water tables. "President and I expressed hope for a successful Paris Conference on climate change this year," Modi said. Modi and Obama focused on a low-carbon development path.
This will ensure that the Indian economy grows and creates jobs without polluting the environment. "The prime minister has informed me about his missions of economic prosperity to improve the lives of rural Indians with bank accounts, clean water and clean air. We are working on providing assistance to all these," Obama said, addressing a joint press briefing. The US president said that the two countries took "important steps today to support clean energy and climate change," focusing on increasing investment in clean energy.
Analysts said the world will watch how India delivers. "Now we have to build at home on the PM's strong press conference statement that climate change is an important issue for Indians and come up with creative and robust domestic actions," said Navroz Dubash, senior fellow at the Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research.
Addressing air pollution in urban centres is an important plank of the dialogue between the two leaders. The US has agreed to help with providing relevant data and this will enhance India's ability to track current levels of contamination, identify sources and track progress in reducing air pollution.
There had been speculation about whether the US' climate deal with China last November would mean increased pressure on India to make a similar commitment. India's important role in the international climate negotiations, particularly as the world works towards a new global compact to be inked in Paris in December, was stressed by President Obama.
It was also clear that India's own circumstances and priorities would be respected. Modi made it clear that while India is not under any pressure on account of the US-China deal, climate change itself was a pressure for all countries to act.
"India is a sovereign country. No pressure from any country or any person has any effect on it. But there is pressure. Pressure about what kind of earth we shall leave for our future generations. Climate change itself is a very big pressure. Global warming itself is a very big pressure. And whoever worries about the future generations has a responsibility to be conscious about climate change; adopt practices and policies which will ensure a good life and good environment for future generations," Modi said in response to a question on increased pressure on India to take on a specific target.
Ahead of Sunday's meeting, UNFCCC executive secretary Christiana Figueres told ET there was no need to compare the US-China deal with any agreement that is worked out with India.
"Every country is unique. And what President Obama is going to agree to or how he is going to support Prime Minister Modi in fulfilling his priorities which we know is to bring light to every single Indian remains to be seen. But I am fully confident that President Obama will respect Prime Minister Modi's priorities. And those will be reflected in whatever they decide to do together on climate change."
Modi said both leaders agreed on the importance of renewable energy. "For President Obama and me, clean and renewable energy is a personal and national priority. We discussed our ambitious national efforts and goals to increase the use of clean and renewable energy. We also agreed to further enhance our excellent and innovative partnership in this area. I asked him to lead international efforts in making renewable energy more accessible and affordable to the world," Modi said.
Modi emphasised the importance of expanding clean energy research, development, manufacturing and deployment to increase energy access and cut emissions. The two sides agreed to cooperate in solar energy research, improve energy efficiency, join hands in biofuels and undertake joint research on smart grid and grid storage.
Modi stressed on India's efforts to create an environment to promote trade and investment in the sector. The US president, according to the joint statement, "encouraged India to continue its efforts to increase trade and private investment in this sector. President Obama conveyed the potential availability of the US government's official financing in this area, consistent with its policies, to support private sector involvement for those entities in contributing to India's clean energy requirements."
