India’s Climate Diplomacy and Domestic Policy Balance: A Study of Environmental Governance and Political Commitment

Abstract

In the 21st century, environmental challenges have become a critical global concern, transcending national boundaries and acquiring both transnational and international dimensions. Despite their global impact, there is no single, centralized authority to oversee or regulate environmental issues at the international level. Instead, environmental governance is managed through a decentralized and intricate web of international treaties, multilateral institutions, non-governmental organizationsand multinational corporations. Within this complex framework, India occupies a distinctive position in global climate politics. As a developing nation with historically low and per capita greenhouse gas emissions, India simultaneously represents a rapidly growing economy with rising environmental pressures. Like many other countries, India must operate within a fragmented global governance system shaped by overlapping international agreements and shifting power dynamics. This paper explores environmental politics from an Indian perspective, highlighting the unique challenges and strategic opportunities the country faces in engaging with global environmental governance. It further examines how India balances its domestic policy priorities with international environmental commitments, focusing on the dynamic interaction between internal governance mechanisms and external diplomatic engagements.