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Climate change is a major global challenge: PM Narendra Modi at inauguration of India Pavilion at COP21 in Paris

Published By : Admin | November 30, 2015 | 18:20 IST
QuoteIndia's new economic momentum is a subject of international attention and a source of global opportunity: PM Modi
QuoteClimate change is a major global challenge: PM Narendra Modi #COP21
QuotePM Narendra Modi inaugurates India Pavilion at #COP21 in Paris
QuotePM Narendra Modi launches the coffee table book 'Parampara'
Quote#COP21 is of great significance to India's future. It is a window to our tradition, progress, aspirations & achievements: PM Modi
QuoteOur commitment to tackle climate change arises from our timeless traditions and beliefs: PM Modi #COP21
QuoteIndia's progress is our destiny & right of our people. But we must also lead in combating climate change: PM Modi at #COP21
QuoteIn India, Nature has always been treated as Mother: PM Narendra Modi #COP21
QuoteThe desire for well being should include our planet, our Nature, all countries and the entire humanity: PM Modi #COP21

My Ministerial colleagues, Shri Prakash Javadekarji, Shri Piyush Goyalji, Distinguished guests I am delighted to inaugurate the Indian Pavilion.

This is the first day of a historic summit in Paris.

We stand here in solidarity with Paris and France and in admiration for their resolve and courage. The entire world, 196 nations, have come together to shape the future of this world and the health of our planet.

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This summit is of great significance to India's future, too.

This pavilion is a window to our heritage and our progress; our traditions and our technology; our aspirations and our achievements.

India's new economic momentum is a subject of international attention and a source of global opportunity. Our progress will not just change the lives of one-sixth of humanity. It will also mean a more successful and prosperous world.

Equally, the choices the world makes here will have an impact on our development.

Climate change is a major global challenge.

But, climate change is not of our making. It is the result of global warming that came from the prosperity and progress of an industrial age powered by fossil fuel.

But, we in India face its consequences today. We see it in the risks of our farmers, the changes in weather patterns, and the intensity of natural disasters.

We are concerned about the rising oceans that will threaten our 7500 km of coastline and over 1300 islands. We worry about the retreat of glaciers that feed our rivers and nurture our civilisation.

That is why the outcome in Paris so important.

That is why we are here.

We want the world to act with urgency. We want a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement, which must lead us to restore the balance between humanity and Nature and between what we have inherited and what we will leave behind.

This will mean a partnership in which those who have the luxury of choices and the capability of technology will make adjustments to sharply reduce their carbon emission.

The extent of their commitment and the strength of their action must be consistent with the carbon space they occupy.

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And, they must leave enough of what is left of our carbon space to let developing countries grow.

They should share resources and technology with those who live between want and hope, so that we can meet the universal aspiration for clean energy.

It will also mean that the developing world will also try to have a lighter carbon footprint on their growth path.

We want the conviction of the world to be matched by efforts to create conditions in which we can succeed.

Because our challenge is pressing, our efforts must be urgent.

Friends,

These will be the subject of negotiations over the next few days.

I am here in the Indian Pavilion to say something else. And, I speak not just to the world, but also to our people.

India's progress is our destiny and the right of our people. But, we are a nation that must also lead in combating climate change.

It stems from our obligation to give our people clean air; clean rivers; resilient farms; healthy habitats; and, forests rich with life.

It comes from our conviction that we must aim not just for higher incomes, but better quality of life.

It comes from our commitment to the world.

Above all, it arises, from our timeless traditions and beliefs.

The choices a people make are shaped by their culture and beliefs.

In India, Nature has always been treated as Mother.

Since ancient times, we have seen humanity as part of Nature, not superior to it. The divine has manifested in Nature's diverse forms.

We have always believed that Nature does not exist for human race, but that we can't exist without Nature. So, Nature is meant to provide and nurture, not to exploit.

When Nature is in equilibrium, our lives and our world will be in balance.

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This is what we learn from Kshetrapati Sukta in our
Rig Veda.

क्षेत्रस्य पते मधुमन्तमूर्मिं धेनुरिव पयो अस्मासु धुक्ष्व ।

मधुश्चुतं घृतमिव सुपूतमृतस्य नः पतयो मृळयन्तु ॥

This means:

O Lord of Field, with the Sweet Waves of Mother Nature's blessings, may you milk our Fields like the Milk of a Cow

With the Sweetness of Mother Nature's bounty, which falls like Clarified Butter, may You shed your Grace on us.

This is why Atharva-Veda calls it a bounden duty that we must protect the Earth so that Life can be sustained.

This is what we see in Gandhiji's life and his advice that the world has enough for everyone's need but not for anyone's greed.

This is what we have tried to capture in the publication PARAMPARA that we have released today.

This is why recycling and conservation comes naturally to us. And, why we have sacred groves across our nation.

Friends,

And, it is this spirit that leads us to set an ambitious and comprehensive strategy to combat climate change. 

We have a target for renewable generation of 175 Gigawatt by 2022. We have got off to a good start, with nearly 12 GW likely to be installed by 2016, more than three times the current capacity.

Like cellular phones before, we can use renewable energy to bring power to our 18000 unconnected villages quickly and cleanly.

By 2030, 40% of our installed capacity will be based on non-fossil fuel.

We will convert waste to energy. We will make our cities smart and sustainable, and transform public transportation, including through 50 new metro rail projects.

We are investing in supercritical technology in thermal plants. We have imposed tax on coal and reduced subsidies on petroleum products. We are raising fuel standards for automobiles. And, we have introduced tax free bonds for renewable energy.

We have a massive programme to expand our forest cover and protect our biodiversity.

In the past few months, millions of households have switched to LED bulbs and we have plans to replace diesel by fuel cells to power the thousands of our telecom towers.

Our vision of India as a global manufacturing hub rests on the simple principle of "zero defect, zero effect" – production that is perfect and leaves no footprint on environment.

Our mission of "more crop per drop" will not only improve the lives of farmers, but will also reduce the pressure on a scarce resource.

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And, research and innovation in clean energy is a high priority.

We want to make conventional energy, like coal, cleaner.

We will make renewable energy cheaper and convenient to install even in our homes. We want to make it more reliable and easier to feed into our transmission lines.

From governments to communities, there are countless examples of innovation and enterprise that are restoring the health of our environment.

I have tried to capture some of these initiatives in my book, Convenient Action, which we shall present today.

Friends,

This is the voice of our people, the call of our nation and the consensus of our polity.

India's leadership on environment has been the vision of Indian leaders and successive governments – from Stockholm in 1975 to Copenhagen in 2009.

We are raising our national effort to an entirely new level. And, we are intensifying our international partnerships.

So, we come to Paris with our commitment, but we also come with hope.

So, we approach the negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in a spirit of partnership, which must be based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

Later today, I will join leaders from major developed and developing world for an innovation summit; because I believe that innovation and technology hold the key to our collective success.

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President Hollande and I will also co-chair the launch of my long cherished dream of an international solar alliance to promote greater use of solar energy in the 121 solar-rich nations.

To call the world to look deep into the ancient wisdom of all our civilisations, cultures and religions, I had requested President Hollande to bring out a book of quotations from around the world. I am happy that we will release it today.

And, I will also call for a change in lifestyles, so that we reduce the burden on our planet. For, the enduring success of our efforts will depend on the way we live and think.

In conclusion, therefore, let me return to the theme that defines us in India – the spirit of partnership, the belief in oneness with the whole that is Nature.

To the people of India and our friends in the world, I call you to live with the commitment of ‘Lokah Samastah Sukhinau Bhavantu’.

The desire for well being should include our planet, our Nature, all countries and the entire humanity.

If our thinking is right, we will form a true global partnership of capabilities and needs that leads us to a low carbon age.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

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May 12, 2025
QuoteToday, every terrorist knows the consequences of wiping Sindoor from the foreheads of our sisters and daughters: PM
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My dear countrymen, Namaskar!

In the past days, we all have witnessed both the strength and patience of our country. First of all, on behalf of the people of India, I salute the valiant forces of India, the armed forces, our intelligence agencies, and our scientists. Our brave soldiers displayed immense courage to achieve the objectives of Operation Sindoor. I pay tribute to their bravery, courage and valour. I dedicate this valour to every mother, every sister and every daughter of the country.

Friends,

The barbarity displayed by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22 had shocked the entire country and the world. The merciless killing of innocent citizens in front of their family and their children on the basis of their religion was a very gruesome face of terror and cruelty. This was also a disgusting attempt to break the harmony and unity of the country. For me personally this was very painful. After this terrorist attack, the entire nation, every citizen, every community, every class, every political party, unitedly stood up for strong action against terrorism. We gave full freedom to the Indian forces to wipe out the terrorists. And today every terrorist, every terror organisation knows the consequence of wiping out the Sindoor of our sisters and daughters.

Friends,

Operation Sindoor is not just a name but it's a reflection of the feelings of millions of people of the country. Operation ‘Sindoor’ is our unwavering commitment to justice. Late night of 6th May and in the early morning of 7th May, the whole world saw this pledge turn into reality. Indian forces attacked terror hideouts in Pakistan and their training centers with precision. The terrorists had never imagined that India could take such a big decision. But when the country is united, endowed with the spirit of Nation First and national interest is paramount, then strong decisions are taken and results are achieved.

When India's missiles and drones attacked terrorist bases in Pakistan, not only the buildings of terrorist organizations but their courage also was shaken badly. Terrorist bases, like Bahawalpur and Muridke are universities of global terrorism. The big terrorist attacks of the world, be it 9/11, be it London Tube bombings, or the big terrorist attacks which have happened in India in the last many decades their roots are somehow connected to these terrorist hideouts. The terrorists had wiped out the Sindoor of our sisters and India responded by destroying their terrorist headquarters. More than 100 dreaded terrorists have been killed in these attacks by India. Many terrorist leaders were roaming freely in Pakistan for the last two and a half to three decades who used to conspire against India. India killed them in one stroke.

Friends,

Pakistan was deeply disappointed and frustrated by this action of India. It was bewildered and in this bewilderment it did another cowardly act. Instead of supporting India's strike against terrorism, Pakistan started attacking India itself. Pakistan targeted our schools, colleges, Gurudwaras, temples and houses of civilians. Pakistan targeted our military base. But in this act Pakistan itself got exposed. The world saw how Pakistan's drones and missiles fell like straws in front of India. India's strong air defense system destroyed them in the sky itself. Pakistan had prepared for an attack on the border, but India struck at the heart of Pakistan. India's drones and missiles attacked with precision. They damaged those airbases of the Pakistani Air Forces, of which Pakistan was very proud. India caused heavy damage to Pakistan in the first three days itself, which it had never imagined. That's why after India's aggressive action, Pakistan started looking for ways to escape. Pakistan was pleading to the world to ease tensions. And after suffering heavy losses, Pakistan's army contacted our DGMO on the afternoon of 10th May. By then we had destroyed the infrastructure of terrorism on a large scale. The terrorists were eliminated. We had destroyed the terror camps established in the heart of Pakistan. Therefore, when Pakistan appealed and said that it will not indulge in any sort of terror activities or military audacity further, India considered it. And I am repeating again, we have just suspended our retaliatory action against Pakistan's terror and military camps. In the coming days we will measure every step of Pakistan on the criterion that what sort of attitude Pakistan will adopt ahead.

Friends,

India's three forces,our Air Force, our Army and our Navy, our Border Security Force- BSF, India's paramilitary forces, are constantly on alert. After the surgical strike and air strike, now Operation Sindoor is India's policy against terrorism. Operation Sindoor has carved out a new benchmark in our fight against terrorism and has set up a new parameter and new normal.

First, If there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given.

We will give a befitting response on our terms only. We will take strict action at every place from where the roots of terrorism emerge.

Secondly, India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail.

Thirdly, we will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism. During Operation Sindoor the world has again seen the ugly face of Pakistan, when top Pakistani army officers came to bid farewell to the slain terrorists. This is strong evidence of state-sponsored terrorism.We will continue to take decisive steps to protect India and our citizens from any threat.

Friends,

We have defeated Pakistan every time on the battlefield. And this time Operation Sindoor has added a new dimension. We have displayed our capabilities in the deserts and mountains and also proved our superiority in New Age Warfare. During this operation the authenticity of our Made in India weapons were also proven. Today the world is witnessing that in 21st century warfare the time has come for Made in India defense equipment.

Friends,

Our greatest strength is our unity against all forms of terrorism. This is certainly not the era of war but this is also not the era of terrorism. Zero tolerance against terrorism is the guarantee for a better world.

Friends,

The way the Pakistani army, Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day. If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace. India's stand is very clear... Terror and talks cannot go together... Terror and trade cannot go together…. Water and blood cannot flow together.

Today, I would also like to tell the global community that our stated policy has been: if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on terrorism; and if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Dear countrymen,

Today is Buddha Purnima. Lord Buddha has shown us the path of peace. The path of peace also goes through power. Humanity should move towards peace and prosperity. Every Indian should be able to live in peace, and can fulfill the dream of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). For this, it is very necessary for India to be powerful. And it is also necessary to use this power when required. And in the last few days, India has done just that.

Once again, I salute the Indian Army and Armed forces. I bow to the courage of every Indian, to the oath and resolve of unity of the people of India.

Thank you,

Bharat Mata ki Jai!!!

Bharat Mata ki Jai!!!

Bharat Mata ki Jai!!!