Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BRICS session on Environment, COP-30, and Global Health, emphasising the pressing need for global cooperation on climate and health security. Applauding Brazil’s leadership of BRICS, he noted the group’s timely focus on these interconnected challenges, which are crucial for the future of humanity.
Speaking on the significance of COP-30 being hosted in Brazil this year, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s longstanding commitment to environmental protection and climate action. He stressed that, for India, safeguarding the environment goes beyond energy concerns and is deeply rooted in its cultural values and daily life. “In our culture, the Earth is respected as a mother,” he said. “When Mother Earth needs us, we respond.” He emphasised that India is undergoing a transformation in mindset, behaviour and lifestyle to achieve sustainability.
Prime Minister Modi outlined several initiatives under India’s broader environmental strategy, inspired by the motto “People, Planet, and Progress.” He highlighted campaigns like Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in the Name of Mother), the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Green Hydrogen Mission, the Global Biofuels Alliance, and the Big Cats Alliance. He also noted India’s leadership during its G20 Presidency, where the country secured consensus on the Green Development Pact and launched the Green Credits Initiative to promote environment-friendly actions.
Despite being the fastest-growing major economy, India has already met its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule and is steadily advancing toward its Net Zero target by 2070. The Prime Minister proudly shared that India’s solar energy capacity has increased by an astonishing 4,000% over the last decade.
He reiterated India’s belief that climate justice is not just a policy choice but a moral obligation. Without affordable financing and access to technology for developing nations, he warned, climate action would remain superficial. He called on developed nations to bridge the gap between climate ambition and climate financing, especially for countries facing crises in food, fuel, fertilisers, and finance. He also endorsed the “Framework Declaration on Climate Finance” being released at the summit, calling it a commendable step forward.
Transitioning to global health, Prime Minister Modi underlined the vital link between the health of the planet and the health of its people. Recalling the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, he stressed that global challenges like pandemics can only be tackled through collective action. Under the principle of ‘One Earth, One Health,’ India has expanded its healthcare partnerships and infrastructure. He spotlighted the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world’s largest health insurance program benefiting over 500 million people, and India’s robust traditional medicine ecosystem, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, and Siddha. He also pointed to India’s growing digital health infrastructure, which is reaching even the most remote areas.
India welcomed the BRICS focus on health cooperation, particularly the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre established in 2022. He expressed optimism that the Leader’s Statement on “BRICS Partnership for Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases,” issued during the summit, would serve as a new catalyst for collaboration.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister thanked all participants for their constructive contributions and looked ahead to India’s BRICS chairmanship in 2026. He promised a people-centric approach, with the aim of redefining BRICS as Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability. Drawing parallels with India’s inclusive G20 Presidency, he committed to championing the concerns of the Global South and upholding the principle of ‘Humanity First’ during the upcoming BRICS term. He closed by congratulating Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for the successful conduct of the BRICS Summit.
