As the world gathers at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, a familiar tension has once again taken centre stage: developing nations demanding equity and developed countries demanding action. This year, India stands squarely in that debate ~ and not without controversy. Being one of the few major emitters yet to submit its updated climate plan, India has drawn global attention, even as it insists the delay is neither negligence nor defiance, but a principled stand for fairness.

No one disputes India’s growing climate profile. The country is now the world’s third-largest carbon emitter, even as it trails far behind developed economies in per-capita emissions. India has made real progress, especially in its energy mix. Achieving 50 per cent of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources well ahead of its 2030 target shows genuine ambition. Solar costs have dropped, renewables have expanded rapidly, and India has become........

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