Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan Highlights India’s Leadership at Bharat Climate Forum 2026
NEW DELHI | JANUARY 09, 2026
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Bharat Climate Forum 2026 in New Delhi today, framing climate action as a strategic opportunity for inclusive growth rather than a development constraint. Addressing an audience of global policymakers and industry leaders, he emphasized that India’s commitment to sustainability is deeply rooted in its civilisational ethos, citing ancient principles like Prakriti and Aparigraha which advocate for harmony between humanity and nature. He noted that India’s current trajectory, guided by the Panchamrit commitments made at COP-26, sets a definitive path toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 while balancing the immediate needs of its population with long-term environmental responsibility.
The Vice-President underscored that a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) must be built on a foundation of homegrown clean technologies and resilient domestic supply chains. He praised the shift from “Make in India” to “Make in India for the world,” highlighting the country’s rising status as a global hub for renewable energy, green hydrogen, and electric mobility. Radhakrishnan pointed to the significant private sector investments in solar modules and battery manufacturing as evidence of India’s industrial transformation. He also reaffirmed India’s role as a leader for the Global South, citing the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure as key examples of collaborative, non-dependent global climate leadership.
The event saw participation from prominent figures including Bharat Climate Forum Chairman N. K. Singh, Convenor Meenakshi Lekhi, Co-Chair Sumant Sinha, and President Ashwani Mahajan. Together with experts and stakeholders, the forum serves as a national platform for turning climate reflection into purposeful action, ensuring that India’s economic expansion remains inseparable from its ecological stewardship.