India ratifies Paris climate deal at UN to mark Gandhi Jayanti

India, the world's third-largest emitter of air polluting carbon, has kept its word on ratifying the landmark Paris climate deal with its permanent representative in the United Nation Syed Akbaruddin handing over the Instrument of Ratification to the UN authorities on 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti day.

India's assent is expected to bring the much-needed momentum to global efforts at implementing measures to control global warming.
 
"India keeps its promise. On Gandhiji's birth anniversary, we deposit the instrument of ratification of Paris Agreement on climate change," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Akbaruddin had on Friday said that India had played a "key role" in the negotiations and finalisation of the Paris agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a "personal commitment" to the climate deal.

India's permanent representative at the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin handed over the instrument of ratification signed by President Pranab Mukherjee to Santiago Villalpando, the head of the Treaties Division at the UN, at a special ceremony attended by top UN officials and senior diplomats to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's 147th birth anniversary.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon lauded India's "climate leadership", saying, India's ratification of the Paris Climate Change agreement moves the world an "important step closer" toward achieving the goal of entering the landmark deal into force this year.

In his message for the International Day of Non-violence, marked every year on Gandhi's birth anniversary, Ban said there is no better way to commemorate Gandhi and his legacy for people and the planet than with India submitting its instrument of ratification to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
 
"I warmly congratulate India for its climate leadership, and for building on the strong momentum we see from all corners of the globe for the agreement to enter into force as quickly as possible this year. India's ratification of the agreement moves the world an important step closer toward achieving that goal," Ban said in the message.

He called on all countries to complete their domestic processes for ratification and also strive in all activities to achieve progress through non-violence.

The UN chief said the commitment to sustainable living that Gandhi emphasised on is reflected in a "momentous way" as India is depositing its instrument of ratification to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

India had joined over 170 countries in signing the pact in April that brought together developing and developed nations for beginning work on cutting down greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming.

India, the world's third biggest carbon emitter after the US and China which are responsible for around 40 per cent of the global carbon emissions, accounts for 4.1 per cent of global emissions.