During the weekend, Secretary of State John Kerry addressed key officials in India about two key issues, namely global warming and easing of investment barriers between the world’s largest democracy and the world’s biggest economy. Kerry is on a two-week tour of seven countries in Asia and the Middle East. New Delhi in India was his second stop. This is Kerry’s first visit to India as Secretary of State.
In his speech, Kerry also praised the significant contribution of the Indian community in the United States. He explained that although they only comprise 1% of the US population, they contribute 8% of technical and engineering start-ups.
400 ppm
Kerry delivered the speech at a convention center. In attendance were government officials, students, and entrepreneurs. He was keen on specifying climate-related changes worldwide such as the increased rate of desertification of East Africa and the alarming recession of the glaciers in the Himalayan mountain range that threaten the availability of water supply to one billion people.
He also highlighted a recent scientific finding concerning the unprecedented increase in the concentration of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The US Secretary of State was accompanied by Ernest Moniz, Energy Secretary. His speech was intended to elicit cooperation from India on climate change initiatives.
Obama’s upcoming speech
Secretary Kerry’s climate change speech on Sunday was a rather timely event since US President Barack Obama is scheduled to make long-awaited announcements on this urgent issue in a few days’ time. The president is expected to present regulations on coal plant emissions, among other key topics.
Two democracies working together
Secretary Kerry said that India, one of the world’s fastest developing countries, urged those in power to work with the US on the issue of global warming especially now that the “irreversible climate challenge is crying out for a global solution.” He urged action from India “before it’s too late.”
Kerry insisted that it is important for the world’s oldest and largest democracies to be united as partners in “building a strong, smart future in a critical age.” He added that the United State and India “share a common DNA” and for this the two countries need to think about the next generation.
Curb emissions
Coal is the source of more than 50% of India’s power. The Americans are in full support of a pipeline that goes through Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan. The pipeline is intended to bring energy to the region and reduce its reliance on coal-generation facilities. American financers have contributed around a fifth in the funding of 1,000 megawatts of solar power sources in India.
The business side of it
Secretary’s visit to India was also an opportunity to share trade and other relevant concerns of American businessmen with regard to investing in India. Bilateral trade between the two economies has increased five times in the past ten years. Prior to Kerry’s trip to India, lawmakers and business groups went together to convince the Obama administration to put more pressure on India to ease policies affecting American business interests.
Photo Credit: US Secretary of State John Kerry with Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Matha in Washington.
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