Ram Madhav writes: India Must Lead the Global South, Says COP30 and G20 Message

The recent COP30 and G20 summits did not effectively address global challenges. The absence of explicit plans to phase out fossil fuels in the Belém Declaration was disappointing, with over 80 countries advocating for stricter regulations. Notably, the locations of COP summits in petroleum-exporting states like Egypt, the UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil raised concerns. Despite the weak Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs) and inadequate climate rules, some incremental progress was made post-COP30. The Johannesburg Leaders Declaration faced boycotts and lacked substantial references to geopolitical issues, reflecting the summit’s shortcomings. In contrast, India’s proactive role in proposing innovative solutions in Johannesburg, such as the Global Traditional Knowledge Digital Repository, highlighted its leadership potential. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts garnered praise, emphasizing the importance of India’s role in the Global South.