India has firmly opposed proposals to regulate the production of primary plastic polymers, citing concerns over potential impacts on the developmental rights of nations. This stance emerged during the conclusion of a global meeting in Busan, South Korea, aimed at finalizing a legally binding treaty to combat plastic pollution. The meeting, however, ended without consensus.
At the conclusion of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the global treaty to address plastic pollution, India raised concerns that several suggestions, including its own, were omitted from the draft text. India sought assurance from the chair that member states would have the opportunity to include their views in upcoming discussions.
Naresh Pal Gangwar, India’s lead negotiator, emphasized that the treaty should focus specifically on addressing plastic pollution and avoid overlap with other international frameworks. He urged for this focus to be reinstated in the draft. India stated its opposition to measures regulating the production of primary plastic polymers, citing potential implications for the developmental rights of member states. It also raised concerns about provisions in the draft that might have trade implications and opposed the inclusion of timelines for phasing out plastics “at this stage.”
India called for financial and technical assistance to help developing nations implement the treaty’s measures, proposing the establishment of a dedicated multilateral fund to cover compliance costs. Stressing the importance of equitable outcomes, India insisted that the treaty should reflect national circumstances, uphold the right to development, and account for the differing capacities of countries.
The weeklong negotiations concluded without a final agreement as divisions persisted among nations. Countries advocating for capping plastic production and restricting harmful chemicals faced resistance from others prioritizing plastic waste management. Despite closed-door talks to resolve key differences, the draft released on Sunday left major issues unresolved. Delegates from nearly 200 nations agreed to reconvene next year to continue the discussions.
