John Kerry set to arrive next week ahead of COP 26 talks

US special climate envoy John Kerry is likely to visit India next week to push for stronger climate action ahead of the COP 26 talks, scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November.

Although the US administration has not announce Kerry’s India tour—which will be his second in six months—,people aware of the matter told ET that he is expected to be in New Delhi next week.

The US special climate envoy will be visiting India after wrapping up a difficult climate conversation with China. He also visited Japan on the issue of emission cuts.


Sources told ET that on agenda is mainly building consensus towards the COP 26 climate negotiations, besides finding ways for climate finance and green technologies.

Kerry also had a telephonic conversation with new environment minister Bhupendra Yadav last month on the subject. His upcoming visit is likely to build on the conversation in more concrete ways.

Kerry first opened his conversation on climate with India in April this year when he called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also attended meetings with the external affairs minister and ministers of environment and finance.

His April visit, in fact, came at a time when pressure was growing on India to committee to a net zero target. Several countries, including China and the US, have announced a net zero/carbon neutrality target by 2050 and 2060, respectively, and there has been considerable pressure on India on the same.