India signed Paris deal for environment, not for money: Sushma junks Trump’s claim

India on Monday dismissed US President Donald Trump’s charge that it signed the Paris climate accord to get “billions and billions and billions” of dollars from developed nations.

“This is completely not true,” external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said about Trump’s claim while announcing the US exit from the Paris deal last week. Trump alleged that India had made its participation in the accord contingent on receiving foreign aid from developed countries

“India signed the Paris agreement because of Indian culture and ethos and not under duress or out of greed,” Swaraj said.

Sushma Swaraj, however, said the American move on the Paris climate agreement had not changed India-US ties and the relationship between the two countries was progressing as it did during Barack Obama’s presidency.

“India signed the Paris agreement because of Indian culture and ethos and not under duress or out of greed (for monetary benefits). We are committed to the environment and this commitment is 5,000 years old,” she told reporters at a press conference here to highlight the achievements of Narendra Modi government in the last three years.

She said that to accuse India of signing the agreement because it was pressurised by some countries or out of greed for foreign aid is completely baseless and unfortunate. “I would like to officially make this clear. I clearly dismiss both accusations.”