NEW YORK: US President Barack Obama on Sunday joined the world leaders to praise India as New Delhi joined the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin on Sunday handed over the Instrument of Ratification signed by President Pranab Mukherjee, to Santiago Villalpando, the head of the Treaties Division at the UN, at a special ceremony here attended by top UN officials and senior diplomats to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.
"Gandhiji believed in a world worthy of our children. In joining the Paris Agreement, PM Narendra Modi and the Indian people carry on that legacy," Obama tweeted praising India.
PM Modi responded to Obama's tweet saying "Care and concern towards nature is integral to the Indian ethos. India is committed to doing everything possible to mitigate climate change."
"Sabhi Bharatiyon ko dhanyawad (I thank all Indians), UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said lauding India for ratifying the historic climate deal on Gandhi Jayanti. Ban said that this "historic" step will further India's sustainable path to growth and development and the step moves the world an important step closer towards achieving the climate goal. "Sabhi bharatiyo ko dhanyawad (I thank all the Indians)," Moon said in a video message on the United Nations news centre.
Today, the government of India has demonstrated global leadership and vision by joining the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This historic step will further India's sustainable path to growth and development," he added.
France also welcomed India's ratification of the climate change agreement and said the decision "brings us closer" to the coming into force of the pact before the end of the year.
India, the world's third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, ratified the landmark Paris climate deal, giving a significant push for the deal to enter into force by the end of this year.
"The President of the Republic (Francois Hollande) welcomes the ratification of the Paris Agreement by India, on this symbolic day commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's birthday," a Communique issued by the French Presidency said.
This decision, coming after the decision of the Environment Ministers of the European Union , brings us closer to the entry into force of the Paris agreement before the end of the year," it said. French President Hollande recalled that India played a key role in the adoption of this agreement in December 2015. US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said, "We look forward to continuing our close friendship with India & furthering our work together on climate change and clean energy.
We commend Prime Minister Modi for his leadership and thank all those who have worked on the Agreement over many years."
Green bodies laud India's ratification of Paris climate deal
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said that by ratification India has shown itself as a serious global player in the climate negotiations. "By being in the club of early ratifiers, India has shown itself as a responsible and serious global player in the climate negotiations. "But ratification is just the beginning of tough and difficult negotiations ahead. India will have to play an important role in making Paris Agreement effective and equitable," said Chandra Bhushan, CSE Deputy Director General.
Global research body, World Resources Institute (WRI) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made clear that his actions are driven by the necessity of blunting climate impacts today and for future generations but also the significant economic opportunities for a clean energy future. "India's leaders are standing shoulder to shoulder with the global community on climate change, a common challenge that unites us all," Manish Bapna, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, WRI told PTI.