India urges flexibility and faster implementation ahead of COP31

India is calling for increased flexibility, practicality, and mutual respect among member nations to bridge differences ahead of the COP31 climate summit. Addressing a pre-COP31 session in Fiji, jointly hosted by Australia, Fiji, and Tuvalu, Indian Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Yadav stated that while long-term goals, such as limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, are already established, the focus must now shift toward concrete action and fulfilling existing commitments. He noted that gaps remain between scientific requirements, traditional knowledge, and available resources. To address this, he urged for enhanced capacity building, technical cooperation, and targeted support.

The Minister highlighted that the success of the upcoming summit in Antalya, Turkey, should be measured by the speed of implementation and the delivery of assistance to those most in need, rather than just new declarations. He advocated for an inclusive, consensus-based approach that respects national circumstances and development needs to ensure balanced and just outcomes for the global community.