Paris, June 3: Unfazed by the US withdrawal, India and France Saturday pledged themselves to a successful implementation of the Paris accord on climate change even as they vowed to jointly fight the scourge of terrorism, the two challenges that are stalking the world at large.
“India and France jointly gave birth to this idea of Paris accord. We moved shoulder to shoulder and worked on the agreement which is a shared legacy of the world. It will benefit the future generations and give them a new hope,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared at a joint media interaction after talks with new French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
“It is not just a question of protection of environment but it is the responsibility of all of us to save Mother Earth as protection of environment is an article of faith for us for centuries. What we got from our ancestors it becomes our responsibility to give pure water and pure air to the coming generations and the future world,” he said.
The assertion by the two leaders came a day after US President Donald Trump announced his decision to pull out of the Paris Accord, blaming among other things, India seeking huge aid to fight climate change. Trump’s decision has come under global attack.
Expressing India’s strong determination, the Prime Minister said, “India is with the Paris accord, and even beyond that we will walk together and work together in the interest of future generations. In this direction India and France are taking several measures.”
Observing that the world is passing through a crisis, Modi said that he and Macron discussed terrorism extensively, on how to save the world from terror and radicalisation. And how to “go forward in deradicalisation and how to strengthen the fight against terror.” Earlier, Macron said France, which has seen some of the worst terror attacks in recent times, would stand by India in its fight against terrorism.
On climate change, Modi said the CEO’s forum has been directed to work on sustainable technology in this regard. He said that at the time of the Paris accord an International Solar Alliance was launched and he was happy that President Macron was fully committed to it. IANS
India, France pledge on Paris accord
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Saturday, June 3, 2017. Macron meets Modi as the world reels over Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, and as Macron beefs up his diplomatic credibility by meeting major world leaders. AP/PTI(AP6_3_2017_000124B)