Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Global South, especially island nations, was the most impacted by climate change and called for climate action guided by fairness, responsibility and equity, in his address to the National Assembly of Seychelles.
The prime minister also called for stronger India-Seychelles cooperation in the areas of blue economy and digital innovation.
Modi, who is on a three-day visit to the archipelagic nation, said the effects of climate change were already visible on coastlines, marine ecosystems, weather patterns and communities.
“The Global South, and especially the island nations, are the most impacted by climate change. Its effects are already visible on our coastlines, in the marine ecosystems, in weather patterns, and in our communities," said the prime minister.
He reiterated that those who had contributed the least to climate change should not bear the greatest burden of its consequences and said climate action must be guided by “fairness, responsibility, and equity".
He further said, “This is the essence of climate justice."
He also said India would continue working with Seychelles to ensure that the concerns of Small Island Developing States received the attention they deserved.
The prime minister said India and Seychelles shared the vision of a more inclusive world and of international institutions that reflected contemporary realities, reaffirming their commitment to advancing the interests of the Global South.
“This is the spirit that unites the Global South. And this is the vision that India and Seychelles will continue to advance together," he said.
Modi said the Indian Ocean connected, rather than separated, India and Seychelles, and that New Delhi viewed the island nation as much more than a group of islands, describing it as “not a small island state – but a large ocean country" with a maritime domain spanning nearly 1.4 million square kilometres.
He praised Seychelles for leading the way in the blue economy long before it became part of global discussions, including through innovations such as Blue Bonds.
The prime minister proposed expanding bilateral cooperation in fisheries, marine science, coastal management, renewable energy and sustainable tourism.
