India: Climate Diplomacy Questioned After COP33 Hosting Withdrawal

By Umar Manzoor Shah Reprint | | Print |

A climate activist holding a placard during COP 28 in Dubai, demanding the end of the use of fossil fuels. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

SRINAGAR, India, May 20 2026 (IPS) - India has withdrawn its bid to host the 2028 United Nations climate summit, a move that indicates a recalibration of its global climate engagement even as it projects itself as a leader in renewable energy and climate action.

India’s environment ministry communicated the decision to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, ending months of diplomatic positioning that began when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the country’s intention to host the summit during COP28 in Dubai.

India had also reiterated its interest at international forums, including the BRICS summit, where member nations had broadly welcomed its candidacy. However, officials now cite a “review of commitments for 2028” and competing national priorities as key reasons for stepping back.

The Conference of the Parties, commonly known as COP, is the world’s most important climate negotiation platform. It brings together nearly 200 countries annually to review progress, negotiate commitments, and set global climate goals. Hosting such a summit carries diplomatic weight, offering the host nation visibility and influence in shaping climate discourse.

India’s withdrawal leaves South Korea as the only declared contender for hosting COP33 in 2028.

Government sources suggest the decision is rooted in a mix of logistical, political, and strategic considerations.

Hosting a COP summit requires extensive planning, infrastructure, and coordination. The event typically spans two weeks and attracts tens of thousands of delegates, including heads of state, negotiators, activists, and journalists. Officials acknowledge that managing such a large-scale international event would place significant administrative and financial strain on the government.

“There is a need to balance global commitments with domestic priorities. The calendar for 2028 is already crowded, and preparations for national elections will also be underway,” a senior official told IPS, requesting anonymity.

India is expected to head into general elections in 2029. The preparatory phase, which often intensifies a year in advance, could overlap with the timing of the climate summit, typically held toward the end of the year.

Analysts also point to the pressure that hosting a COP summit brings. Countries in the spotlight often face expectations to announce more ambitious climate targets, including deeper emissions cuts and stronger financing commitments.

“For a developing economy like India, which is still balancing growth with sustainability, such expectations can become politically sensitive,” Neeraj Kumar Singh, a Delhi-based climate policy expert, told IPS News.

Climate Leadership Under Scrutiny?

India’s withdrawal comes at a time when it has been projecting itself as a global leader in clean energy. The country has made significant strides in expanding solar capacity and has set ambitious targets under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

According to official commitments, India aims to achieve 60 percent of its electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035, reduce emissions intensity by 47 percent, and enhance carbon sinks significantly. It has also pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2070.

These targets have earned praise from international observers, including senior UN officials, who see India as a key player in the global energy transition.

However, critics argue that stepping back from hosting COP33 may weaken India’s diplomatic leverage in climate negotiations.

“Hosting a COP allows a country to set the tone, influence agendas, and build alliances. By withdrawing, India may be limiting its role in shaping future climate negotiations,” says Neerja Sahni, a climate researcher based in Bengaluru, a city in India.

India’s decision also shows the complex realities of a developing nation navigating climate commitments alongside economic growth.

With millions still dependent on fossil fuels for livelihoods and energy access, policymakers face the challenge of ensuring a just transition. Rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and infrastructure development remain central to India’s economic strategy.

Experts say hosting a COP could have intensified scrutiny over India’s coal usage and industrial emissions.

“There would have been global pressure to accelerate the transition away from coal. While India is expanding renewables, it still relies heavily on coal for baseload power,” Suhail Ahmad, a researcher on environmental sciences, told IPS.

The government appears keen to avoid committing to targets that could constrain economic growth or impose additional financial burdens.

India has hosted a COP summit only once before, in 2002, when New Delhi hosted COP8. Since then, the country has played an active role in negotiations but has not taken on the responsibility of hosting the event again.

The withdrawal raises questions about India’s long-term strategy in global climate diplomacy.

“India has been advocating for climate justice, emphasising the responsibilities of developed nations. Hosting COP33 would have strengthened that position. Stepping back may reduce its visibility at a critical time,” a former negotiator, wishing not to be named, told IPS.

At the same time, some analysts view the move as a pragmatic decision rather than a retreat.

The COP process operates on a rotational basis among regional groups. India belongs to the Asia-Pacific group, which will host the 2028 summit.

Recent COP meetings took place across different regions, including Dubai in 2023, Baku in 2024, and Brazil in 2025. Upcoming summits are planned in Australia and Turkey (2026) and Ethiopia (2027).

With India stepping aside, attention now turns to South Korea, which may emerge as the consensus host for COP33.

For many climate activists and civil society groups, the decision is a missed opportunity.

“Hosting COP33 in India would have brought global attention to the country’s climate challenges, from air pollution to water stress. It could have amplified voices from vulnerable communities,” Virander Verma, a youth climate activist from Delhi, told IPS.

Others argue that the focus should remain on implementation rather than symbolism.

“What matters is not where the summit is held, but what actions countries take. India’s policies on renewable energy, adaptation, and resilience will ultimately define its role,” Rekha Gupta, an environmental NGO representative, said.

IPS UN Bureau Report

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