The defining relationship of South Asia
After almost three years, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is paying an official visit to India from September 5-8 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a multi-faceted diplomatic visit with its agenda spanning matters of connectivity, river water sharing, trade, and education. Accordingly, she will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including a number of ministers, advisers, and secretaries along with senior officials of her government. She will be hosted by India’s new president, Droupadi Murmu along with the vice president, Jagdeep Dhankhar, and engage in delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House. The focus of this packed itinerary is to nurture the “shonali odhyay” or golden chapter in bilateral ties by exploring new ways to enhance cooperation in crucial areas. Ties between India and Bangladesh have witnessed considerable progress in recent years, especially in connectivity, with a number of initiatives being undertaken, such as inauguration of the Maitree Shetu over River Feni, Bangladesh’s offer to India to use its Chittagong Port, and the inauguration of the Mitali Express -- connecting New Jalpaiguri, India with Dhaka. The recently inaugurated Padma rail-road bridge in Bangladesh also holds the potential to connect the two countries. Amongst the MoUs that are reportedly to be signed during this visit, connectivity is thus expected to be at the centre.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.