The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, 4 September asserted that developed countries — historically the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions — bear the primary responsibility to reduce emissions and extend financial and technological support to developing nations. The statement came in response to remarks by Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, who called for a diplomatic shift toward 'justice and compensation' from major industrial emitters in the aftermath of catastrophic floods that have killed at least 1,294 people in Nepal, with 5,053 still unaccounted for as of Friday evening.

India's Position on Climate Responsibility

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a media briefing in New Delhi, reiterated India's longstanding climate stance rooted in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC). 'Developed countries, who historically are responsible for the emissions and have contributed overwhelmingly to this present crisis, must take the lead in reducing emissions and support developing countries by way of finance and technology transfer to meet this challenge,' Jaiswal said.

This position aligns with India's consistent advocacy at global climate forums, including the UNFCCC and successive COP summits, where New Delhi has argued that the burden of transition cannot fall equally on economies that industrialised far later than the West.

India's Solidarity With Flood-Hit Nepal

Jaiswal underscored that India has responded swiftly to the humanitarian crisis triggered by the floods. 'In the wake of this tragedy, we have extended our solidarity and support to the government and people of Nepal. As a close friend and partner, India responded promptly, and we continue to support rescue, relief, reconstruction and recovery efforts in the country,' he stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke directly with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah after the disaster struck, conveying that 'India stands shoulder to shoulder' with Nepal. Jaiswal noted that PM Shah has since thanked India for its support — a gesture New Delhi described as a reflection of the two countries' deep bilateral ties.

Nepal's Diplomatic Shift: From Aid to Justice

The backdrop to the MEA's statement is a notable rhetorical shift from Kathmandu. Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Khanal said Nepal is reframing its approach from seeking 'aid' to demanding 'justice and compensation' from major industrial emitters, according to local media reports from Kathmandu. Khanal reportedly argued that the devastating floods are a direct consequence of climate change driven by wealthy, high-emission nations — and that Nepal's losses constitute a climate debt owed by those countries.

This framing echoes a broader movement among climate-vulnerable nations — particularly small island states and Himalayan countries — pushing for Loss and Damage mechanisms, a concept that gained formal recognition at COP27 in 2022 and saw a dedicated fund established at COP28 in 2023. Nepal's pivot signals that even India's immediate neighbours are hardening their positions ahead of future climate negotiations.

Context: Himalayan Floods and Climate Vulnerability

Nepal is among the world's most climate-exposed nations. The Hindu Kush Himalaya region has seen accelerated glacial melt and increasingly erratic monsoon patterns, both linked to rising global temperatures. Scientists have long warned that high-emission industrialised economies are disproportionately responsible for these changes, while countries like Nepal contribute a negligible share of global emissions yet bear outsized consequences.

The current flood toll — 1,294 confirmed deaths and 5,053 missing — underscores the scale of vulnerability. As climate diplomacy intensifies ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Nepal's shift in framing and India's reaffirmation of CBDR-RC are likely to shape South Asian positioning in global negotiations.