STATE TIMES NEWS
FRANCE: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the world today looks up to India to overcome the global challenges.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference with participation of over 150 countries of the world, including Heads of State, senior Ministers, eminent scientists and policymakers, here on Friday, Dr Jitendra said over the last two days, he and the other members of the Indian delegation have realised how much of expectation the other countries have from India.
Dr Jitendra attributed this to the change of perception about India’s capabilities that has happened over the last 11 years with certain decisive measures taken by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and also the stability of the government offered to him over the last one decade.
Referring to the completion of the 11 years of the Modi government, Dr Jitendra said that it is a pleasant coincidence that today as the Modi government completes its 11 years in office, here we are witnessing a huge surge and enthusiasm among the representatives of other member states and countries to be benefitted by India’s capabilities and capacities.
The Minister said, as far as the ocean related concerns and challenges are concerned, India has not only taken a lead in handling these challenges, but the strength to India’s efforts came from the resolve of the political dispensation which was evident by the fact that Prime Minister Narender Modi referred to Deep Ocean Mission not once but twice in his independence day address consecutively for two years.
In the last 10 years, Dr Jitendra Singh said the difference now is that India is taken seriously, even in matters of global concerns like ocean challenges, climate patterns, and clean energy concerns, whereas earlier on the world thought of India as a non-serious or a complacent actor in these domains.
Elaborating further Dr Jitendra Singh said that the challenges of the ocean concerns need to be addressed collectively because nearly 70% of the earth’s surface is occupied by oceans and the oceans know no political or geographical boundaries, and therefore, the good and bad effects emanating from the oceans affect the humanity, regardless of the nationality or the country .
Dr. Jitendra Singh, leading the Indian delegation at a global forum, emphasized that ocean-related concerns are primarily of two types: those directly emerging from the oceans, such as rising temperatures and sea levels due to global warming, and those linked to pollution, including oil spills and plastic waste. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Singh highlighted India’s proactive stance in tackling ocean pollution, noting that India was among the first nations to officially ban single-use plastic. He also underlined the progress of India’s Deep Ocean Mission, which is being implemented in close collaboration with ISRO and various national research and technical institutions. This mission exemplifies India’s holistic approach—integrating science and governance—to address environmental challenges and ensure sustainable ocean management. Dr. Singh also revealed that the Indian delegation has received widespread attention from multiple nations seeking one-on-one meetings.
This reflects India’s growing significance and leadership on global environmental issues, especially in marine sustainability and climate action.India’s strategic initiatives and scientific collaborations are increasingly positioning the country as a key stakeholder in global efforts to safeguard the oceans for future generations.
