India plays a crucial role in global climate policy formulation and deliberations because of its unique position as both a developing economy striving for growth and a nation highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country’s approach reflects the delicate balance between achieving economic development, reducing poverty, ensuring energy security, and contributing to global climate mitigation. India’s role can be understood through its active participation in international negotiations, domestic policy frameworks, and its leadership in promoting sustainable practices at the global stage. India’s participation in global climate policy discussions began earnestly with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations in the 1990s. Since then, India has consistently emphasized the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” (CBDR-RC). This principle acknowledges that while climate change is a global problem requiring collective action, the historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions lies disproportionately with developed nations. India, with low per capita emissions compared to industrialized countries, has used this argument to insist that developed countries take the lead in reducing emissions and providing financial and technological support to developing nations. This position has been central to India’s negotiation strategies in various Conferences of the Parties (COPs). At the Copenhagen COP15 in 2009, India played a significant role in shaping the outcome, aligning with other major developing economies like China, Brazil, and South Africa to form the BASIC group. Together, they resisted binding emission reduction targets for developing countries while supporting voluntary pledges. India stressed that climate action must not compromise its developmental priorities, particularly poverty eradication and universal access to energy. This stance continued in subsequent negotiations, including COP21 in Paris, where India was instrumental in securing an agreement that preserved CBDR-RC while encouraging all countries to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs). India’s NDC under the Paris Agreement included ambitious targets such as reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 33–35% by 2030 from 2005 levels, achieving 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, and creating a carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through afforestation. In global deliberations, India has also been a leader in advocating equity in climate action. The country has argued for “climate justice,” emphasizing that the burdens of climate mitigation and adaptation should not fall disproportionately on developing nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements in international forums often highlight the moral dimension of climate change, asserting that developed countries, having benefitted from centuries of industrialization, owe a “climate debt” to the global South. India has also called for lifestyle changes through the concept of “Lifestyle for Environment” (LiFE), encouraging sustainable consumption patterns worldwide. India’s role is not limited to negotiations but also includes building coalitions and leading global initiatives. A notable example is the International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched by India and France during COP21 in Paris. The ISA brings together over 120 countries