India and China in the Global Climate Regime: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

This article examines the complex relationship between India and China within the global climate regime. As two of the world's largest emitters and leaders of the Global South, both nations face significant climate vulnerabilities—such as extreme heat, water scarcity, and agricultural stress—while simultaneously pursuing rapid economic development. The author explores how these two nations navigate the tension between their shared climate interests and their broader geopolitical and geoeconomic rivalries, such as border disputes and trade competition.

The study identifies a pattern of 'selective convergence within strategic divergence.' Historically, both nations have used the principle of 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capacities' (CBDR) to shield themselves from binding mitigation commitments that might hinder poverty alleviation. While they continue to coordinate in multilateral forums like the BASIC coalition to advocate for climate finance and equity, their cooperation is frequently strained by regional security tensions, such as the ongoing border disputes and differing strategic partnerships.

Despite these frictions, the author argues that climate diplomacy offers a 'low-politics' space for functional cooperation. The paper highlights potential areas for synergy, including joint research on Himalayan ecological monitoring, technology sharing in renewable energy, and co-financing models that leverage China's industrial capacity alongside India's institutional and normative leadership.

As the United States has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, a leadership vacuum has emerged in global climate governance. India and China are uniquely positioned to fill this void, representing over one-third of the global population. The author concludes that by depoliticizing areas of shared environmental vulnerability, India and China can move beyond reactive posturing to establish a more proactive, equitable, and inclusive model of climate leadership for the Global South.