PM Modi Calls Climate Justice a ‘Moral Duty,’ Seeks Equitable Tech and Financial Support for Developing Nations at BRICS Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reaffirmed India’s dedication to climate action and fair access to health security, urging immediate technology sharing and accessible financing to help developing countries close the gap between climate goals and implementation.

Speaking at the ‘Environment, COP-30 and Global Health’ session during the BRICS Summit in Brazil, Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the leadership of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, noting that BRICS has rightly focused on critical and interrelated issues that are essential for securing a better future for humanity.

“With Brazil hosting COP-30 this year, these conversations are both timely and significant,” Modi said. “For India, addressing climate change goes beyond energy management — it’s about preserving the fragile harmony between life and nature.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that climate action is an integral part of India’s cultural values and everyday practices. “In our tradition, the Earth is revered as a mother. When Mother Earth calls upon us, we respond — by changing our thinking, our actions, and our way of life,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India met its Paris Climate Agreement targets ahead of schedule, even as it remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy. He noted that the country is making consistent progress toward its 2070 Net Zero goal, stating, “Over the past decade, India has achieved a 4000% increase in its installed solar energy capacity.”

Describing climate justice as a “moral obligation,” Prime Minister Modi stressed the need for developing nations to have equitable access to technology and affordable financing. “It is the particular responsibility of developed countries to close the gap between climate ambition and funding. Without this, climate action will be reduced to mere rhetoric,” he stated.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the establishment of the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre, launched in 2022, along with the newly introduced “Leader’s Statement on BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases,” noting that these initiatives would encourage deeper collaboration among member nations.

Looking forward to India’s BRICS chairmanship in 2026, Prime Minister Modi committed to prioritizing the concerns of the Global South and reshaping the group’s focus under the theme “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.”

“Just as we promoted inclusivity within the G20, we will advance BRICS with a people-focused, ‘Humanity First’ approach,” he stated, commending President Lula for his successful leadership of the summit and for Brazil’s generous hospitality.