India as a climate leader in the indo-pacific: challenges and opportunities

ABSTRACT

The non-traditional security threats in the form of incessant floods, cyclones, and all-time rising sea levels in the Indo-Pacific region call for an integrated and constructive response led by a climate leader. Climate change is seen way beyond the lens of a mere environmental catastrophe having the potential to destabilize a nation’s economy and polity. The global state and non-state actors have acknowledged climate change to be an alarming global security threat. However, the failure of collective management of the climate crisis has mandated a responsible climate leader to monitor the mitigation efforts. In the context of initiatives like the National Solar Mission that envisages India to be a ‘global leader in solar energy,’ the paper intends to weigh the possibilities for India’s role as a cogent climate leader in the Indo-Pacific region. It seeks to evaluate India’s climate leadership based on its green policies and assistance to Indo-Pacific countries.

KEYWORDS:

• Indo-pacific
• climate change
• regional cooperation
• climate leader

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Notes on contributors

Stefy V. Joseph

Stefy V. Joseph is Assistant Professor at the Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore.

Sruthi Sadhasivam

Sruthi Sadhasivam is Research Officer at Chennai Centre for China Studies