Modi opens India Pavilion at Paris with focus on renewables

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the India pavilion at the global climate change conference here, showcasing the country's commitment to renewable energy for which a target of 175 GW of additional capacity has been set by 2022.

"The India Pavilion at COP-21 has used technology to showcase India's commitment to climate change and focus on climate justice," Modi said.

"The India pavilion also seeks to demonstrate the strong belief that the world needs to look beyond climate change and focus on climate justice."

He said the pavilion also displays the country's harmony with nature and environment, and added: "Summit is of great significance to India's future. It is a window to our tradition, progress, aspirations and achievements."

The prime minister, who said climate change was a major global challenge, also launched a coffee table book "Parampara". He said India looked at the Paris convention with both commitment and hope.

The Indian prime minister is here for what is officially called the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP-21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with 196 member states.

"We want the world to act with urgency. The agreement must lead us to restore balance between humanity and nature," the prime minister said. "India's progress is our destiny and right of our people. But we must also lead in combating climate change."

India, he said, will ensure 40 percent of installed energy capacity is based on non-fossil fuels.

"We have a target for renewable generation of 175 Gigawatt by 2022. We have got off to a good start, with nearly 12 GW likely to be installed by 2016, more than three times the current capacity," he said.

"We will convert waste to energy. We will make our cities smart and sustainable, and transform public transportation, including through 50 new metro rail projects," he added.

"We approach the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in a spirit of partnership, based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibility."