Inaugural Address at Bharat Climate Forum

Chairman, Bharat Climate Forum; former MP, Rajya Sabha, Shri N K Singh Ji; Convenor, Bharat Climate Forum and former Minister, Government of India, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi Ji; Co-Chair, Bharat Climate Forum, Shri Sumant Sinha Ji; President, Bharat Climate Forum, Dr Ashwani Mahajan Ji; other dignitaries on the dais, Brothers and Sisters, Sabko Namaskar!

I am pleased to be with you all today at the Bharat Climate Forum 2026. I commend the Council for International Economic Understanding for developing the Forum as a national platform for serious reflection and purposeful action on one of the most defining challenges of our time. When we gather to discuss climate and development, it is important to remember that India’s engagement with these questions is neither recent nor reactive. Long before sustainability became a contemporary concern, Indian thought stressed on harmony between human activity and the natural world. In simple and enduring terms, it is said in Tamil “இயற்கையோடு இசைந்த வளர்ச்சி”, development that grows in harmony with nature. From water conservation systems such as stepwells, tanks, and rainwater harvesting, to sustainable agricultural practices guided by seasonal cycles, biodiversity preservation, and minimal resource extraction, India’s civilizational ethos has long promoted balance and restraint. Philosophies such as Prakriti as sacred and the principle of Aparigraha—non-attachment—offer timeless guidance for sustainable living. These enduring practices remind us that climate solutions are not only technological, but also cultural and ethical, drawing strength from wisdom refined over centuries.

Our development journey in the past decade also has been shaped by the search for balance between growth and equity, between aspiration and restraint, and between present needs and future responsibility. Under the visionary leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, India has fundamentally redefined how a developing nation approaches climate responsibility. India’s Panchamrit goals, as announced by our Hon’ble Prime Minister at COP-26 reflect our holistic and resolute commitment to climate action rooted in equity and sustainability.  These pledges chart a clear pathway towards a low-carbon future— with a target of meeting 50 percent of our energy requirements from renewable sources; and a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070; thereby reaffirming India’s development priorities while reinforcing our responsibility to future generations. For us, climate action is not a constraint on development — it is a strategic opportunity. An opportunity to build new industries, create high-quality jobs, strengthen energy security, and position India as a global manufacturing and innovation hub.

We have shown the world that climate action and national development are not opposing goals, but mutually reinforcing missions. The vision of a Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and a Net Zero Bharat are not two separate goals.  They are deeply interconnected.

Equally important is our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s emphasis on equity and inclusion. Through initiatives like LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment, he has reminded the world that sustainability is not only about technology, but also about values and behaviour. As someone who has spent many years in public life, engaging closely with people and institutions across the country, I have seen how environmental stress directly affects economic opportunity and human dignity. I have also seen how thoughtful policy, local innovation, and community participation can restore stability and confidence.

A developed India cannot be built on imported technologies, fragile supply chains, or outdated energy systems alone. It must be built on homegrown clean technologies, resilient manufacturing, and a future-ready workforce. This is where clean tech manufacturing becomes central to our national mission. By developing clean technologies domestically, we achieve multiple national objectives at once, and we also unlock export opportunities in rapidly growing global clean energy markets. Across renewable energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, electric mobility, sustainable materials, climate-smart agriculture, and digital climate solutions, India is no longer just a market. India is becoming a maker. The ‘Make in India’ movement, when aligned with climate ambition, transforms into something even more powerful: Make in India—for the world.

This is how climate action becomes an engine of economic growth, not a cost to be managed. We are already seeing encouraging momentum.  Indian companies—large and small—are investing in solar modules, battery manufacturing, EV components, electrolyzers, and green fuels. Startups are innovating across climate data, efficiency, and waste management.

At the same time, a Swadeshi approach does not diminish the importance of global partnerships. Climate change is a shared challenge, and no nation can address it alone. India’s approach to global partnership is one of collaboration without dependence, and openness without vulnerability. As the founding force behind the International Solar Alliance, India has helped mobilize countries of the Global South around affordable, scalable solar solutions, increasing energy access while reducing emissions. India’s leadership of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure underscores a forward-looking approach to sustainable climate response—strengthening infrastructure systems to withstand climate-induced shocks and safeguard development gains. Together, ISA and CDRI demonstrate India’s commitment to practical, inclusive, and solutions-oriented climate leadership that delivers shared global benefits. By also strengthening domestic foundations, we engage the world from a position of confidence.

As you deliberate during this Forum, I encourage you to focus on solutions that are practical, scalable, affordable, and grounded in India’s realities. Let ambition be matched by implementation and vision by perseverance. Let’s remember that a truly Viksit Bharat will grow with sustainability and Atmanirbharta at its core. I wish the Bharat Climate Forum 2026 every success, and I commend all of you for your commitment to shaping a sustainable future for India and for the world.

Jai Hind!
Long Live Mother Bharat!