Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to miss the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan next month due to scheduling conflicts, according to sources familiar with the matter. This development reduces the chances of a long-awaited meeting between Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a meeting that Pakistan was keen to facilitate following Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent visit to Pakistan for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.
India’s delegation at COP29 will reportedly be led by Environment and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, as confirmed by multiple anonymous sources. The absence of Modi, who has been a vocal advocate for climate action, raises questions about India’s leadership role at the conference.
A recent document from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) detailing participation by heads of state indicates that several prominent leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Joe Biden, and French President Emmanuel Macron, are also anticipated to skip the conference. Currently, 106 heads of state or government have confirmed their attendance at COP29’s World Leaders Climate Action Summit, although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to confirm his participation.
The expected absence of several key leaders, including Modi, could impact discussions on vital climate initiatives and collaborations at COP29, highlighting the challenges of aligning national schedules with global priorities.
