India has decided to withdraw its plan to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028, marking a shift in its approach to global climate engagements. The decision was communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) after a review of the country’s future commitments and priorities.
Earlier, India had shown strong interest in hosting the summit and had even begun preliminary preparations. A dedicated team was set up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2025, and the proposal had received support from BRICS nations. However, after reassessing its long-term plans for 2028, the government chose to step back from organizing the large-scale international event.
The Conference of Parties (COP) is an annual global climate meeting where countries come together to discuss strategies to combat climate change. Hosting responsibilities rotate among regions, and India, as part of the Asia-Pacific group, was eligible for COP33. Following India’s withdrawal, South Korea is now likely to host the summit.
Despite this decision, India has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action. The country continues to pursue ambitious goals, including increasing non-fossil fuel energy capacity, reducing emissions intensity, and expanding forest cover. These efforts highlight that India remains actively engaged in global climate initiatives, even without hosting COP33.
