Protecting nature, planet India's priority: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India's priority is to protect the planet and the nature and it hopes to achieve that.

"Protecting our planet and nature is a priority for India. We have set ambitious targets and we are hopeful to achieve it. Mahatma Gandhi was a champion in protecting nature, so this effort is special to India," Prime Minister Modi said on the sidelines of meeting US President Barack Obama at the Conference of Parties here.

"World's 121 countries who are solar rich are coming together to form a new group. I will launch it with the French President. I believe that this move will help fulfill the dreams with which we all have collected in Paris. India proposed some big targets in Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. I am sure we will fulfill our responsibilities," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with French President Francois Hollande and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a brief meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

After inaugurating the India Pavilion at the Summit, Prime Minister Modi also attended a lunch hosted by Hollande for the visiting world leaders.