Ahead of his India journey, UK PM lauds Modi for climate leadership

Ahead of his visit to India next month, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lauded his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi’s “fantastic leadership in areas such as renewable energy” and expressed his vision to share a sustainable future with Asia’s third largest economy.

The visit is also expected to focus on opportunities between the two countries in areas of maritime and cyber security, defence, climate change, trade, education, vaccine production, health, migration and mobility.

Addressing the virtual International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure inaugurated by PM Modi, Mr Johnson highlighted the UK’s journey to build more disaster-resilient infrastructure and showcased his country’s interest in sharing a ‘wealth of expertise’ with India.

“And, as the world’s climate changes, we must not only do everything in power to strive for Global Net Zero, an ambitious 2030 emissions reductions target, but we must also adapt to its damaging effects and build more resilience to disasters – our roads, our bridges, power lines, our schools and hospitals – all the infrastructure that we rely on to keep our economies moving and our communities safe. They must be made ready,” said PM Johnson.

Alluding to the United Nations Climate Conference to be hosted by the UK in Glasgow in November this year, Mr Johnson said “As we look forward to COP26 in Glasgow this November, we are working hard to help countries adapt to the effects of climate change. Let’s take action now so that as we build back better from the pandemic, we do so cleaner and greener, making all our communities stronger and more resilient.”

In his address, Mr Modi global solidarity in combating the pandemic to argue for collective action against global warming. “The COVID-19 pandemic has taught that in an interdependent and interconnected world, no country — whether rich or poor, in the east or west, north or south — is immune to the effect of global disasters. On the one hand, the pandemic has shown us how impacts can quickly spread across the world, and on the other, it has shown how the world can come together to fight a common threat,” he said.

“Just as the fight against the pandemic mobilized the energies of the world’s seven billion people, our quest for resilience must build on the initiative and imagination of each and every individual on this planet,” he added.

PM Johnson was invited as Guest of Honour at India’s Republic Day celebrations this year, but had to cancel his visit to due to a surge in Covid-19 cases in Britain.

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