United Nations: Calling for a comprehensive and equitable climate change agreement at Paris summit later this year, India on Thursday said developing countries can do more if they are enabled in their efforts with the provision of finance, technology transfer and capacity building support from developed countries.
"As we prepare to meet in two months time in Paris, the world expects us to deliver an ambitious and credible agreement on climate change. We have a duty for common action but in doing so we must keep in mind the larger historical contribution of some and the differentiated responsibility of others," she said in her address to the annual debate of the UN General Assembly.
She said the agreement in Paris needs to be comprehensive and equitable, while delivering concrete action.
"Developing countries can do more if they are enabled in their efforts with the provision of finance, technology transfer and capacity building support from developed countries," she said as she assured the international community that India will play its due role in reaching a meaningful, equitable and effective agreement in Paris.
On the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Agenda, Sushma Swaraj said the successful implementation of the goals will require political resolve and an inclination to share - both technology and financial resources - while simultaneously improving delivery mechanisms.
She added that ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office a year and a half ago, the government has committed itself to a "transformative change - one that can reinvigorate the nation and redeem its spirit."
She said this renewal has enabled India to play its rightful role in international affairs while also becoming the fastest growing major economy in the world.
Mrs Swaraj underscored that the driving force of this comprehensive renewal has been premised on the motto of 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas', an emphasis on the welfare of all people.
India has also initiated an "energetic outreach" to all its partners in the international community.
"Our efforts have focused, first and foremost, on our immediate neighbourhood and the results have been truly transformational. We have reached out to our extended neighbourhood as well, renewing ancient linkages and constructing modern economic partnerships, including, most recently, a Summit with 14 Pacific Island nations," she said.
She pointed out that the Act East policy has replaced the earlier Look East one, with more vigorous and proactive engagement with an economically vibrant region.
"This complements our Link West engagement. We remain committed to the Middle East Peace Process, which is the key to prevent further radicalisation of the region. We have also qualitatively upgraded our relations with all the major powers," she said.
She said as a nuclear weapon state, India is aware of its responsibility and its support for global, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament has not diminished.
She said that the Act East policy has replaced the earlier Look East one, with more vigorous and proactive engagement with an economically vibrant region.
"This complements our Link West engagement. We remain committed to the Middle East Peace Process which is the key to prevent further radicalisation of the region. We have also qualitatively upgraded our relations with all the major powers," she said.
She said as a nuclear weapon state, India is aware of its responsibility and its support for global, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament has not diminished.
Highlighting the various ambitious programmes initiated by the government that compliment the sustainable development goals, Mrs Swaraj said as a woman and an elected Member of Parliament, it has been her firm conviction that there is a shortcut to real social change - empowering the girl child.
"Our Government's policy of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Educate the Girl Child to empower her) was conceived with this vision. Similarly, with the transformative power of technology and the resources available to the international community, we now have the ability to glimpse a future, which provides basic human dignity for all of the world's people.
Whether we can reach that goal depends on how we act," she said.
