India story is ‘kindness towards friends, might against enemies', says Environment Minister
The 'India story' that propelled the economy 'ahead' of Japan, the United Kingdom and France was a story of 'kindness towards friends, use of might against enemies, and that of democracy walking alongside development', Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Thursday (May 29, 2025).
He was speaking at a meeting of business leaders at a conclave of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) themed 'Building Trust – India First'
He underscored that the essence of the India story lay in 'always keeping India first', being 'assertive and forceful towards all those who planned on hurting Bharat', and ensuring that 'water and blood didn't flow together' [a reference to India suspending the Indus water sharing treaty with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack].
'Most trusted partner'
He said India was the 'most trusted partner' for the world due to its political stability, leadership, values, and commitment to a sustainable world. India is a 'land of development-oriented nature worshippers' and is a 'voice of the Global South'.
India's 'unique climate policy architecture' successfully balanced 'development imperatives with ambitious climate goals'. From 2022 to 2024, India's recycling sector attracted investments totalling ₹10,000 crore, reflecting industry commitment to sustainable practices. The circular economy sector is projected to be worth $2 trillion by 2050, creating approximately 10 million jobs, he said at a session on 'India's Climate Policy Architecture: Pathways for Emerging Economies'.
The government had introduced 'Extended Producer Responsibility' (EPR) guidelines for various sectors, including tyres, batteries, plastics, and e-waste, to promote recycling and sustainable consumption. The government has released the Draft Framework of the Climate Finance Taxonomy, outlining methodologies for classifying activities under adaptation and mitigation, he noted.
Moreover, the development of the first National Adaptation Plan, to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), focuses on enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening knowledge systems, and reducing exposure to climate risks, said Mr. Yadav.
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