Protecting climate an article of faith for us: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India was committed to "go above and beyond" the Paris agreement to protect climate for future generations as he termed the UN-brokered deal a shared legacy of the world, a day after the US president walked out of the landmark accord.
Speaking after holding two hours of wide-ranging talks with the newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential Elysee Palace, Modi said the Paris deal reflects "our duty towards protecting the mother Earth and our natural resources. For us, this (protection of environment) is an article of faith."
"Paris climate agreement is a shared legacy of the world. It will benefit the future generations as well," Modi said addressing a joint press event with Macron.

He said India is committed to the Paris accord, and "even beyond it, India will work and walk together with others to leave a gift for the future generations."
"We have natural resources because our previous generations protected these resources. We must do the same for our future generations," Modi said.
Describing the city of Paris as an important part of his political journey, the prime minister said India and France had worked shoulder to shoulder for this agreement.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from the Paris climate change deal on curbing carbon emissions, which had been agreed by more than 190 nations. Trump said the agreement unfairly benefited countries like India and China.

On his part, Macron said he wants to restate France's full commitment to the fight against climate warming.
The Paris Agreement's central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the global temperature rise in this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The landmark agreement, which entered into force last November, calls on countries to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future, and to adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change.

Macron said he will visit New Delhi by the end of the year for an international summit on solar power - an area on which France plans closer cooperation with India.
Earlier, Macron greeted Prime Minister Modi with a bear hug in the courtyard of the presidential Elysee Palace when he arrived for the meeting and working lunch.
The Prime Minister thanked President Macron for the warm welcome and congratulated him for the election victory.
39-year-old Macron created history last month by becoming the youngest president of France.
Modi said India is in favour of a united progressive European Union.

The Prime Minister also spoke of the service to humanity and human values that France-India relations have rendered successfully over the years. He expressed confidence that relations will go forward even faster.
France is India's 9th largest investment partner. France is also a key partner in India's development initiatives in areas like defence, space, nuclear and renewable energy, urban development and railways.