Paris: France on Sunday welcomed India's ratification of the Paris climate change agreement on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, saying the decision "brings us closer" to the coming into force of the pact before the end of the year.
India, the world's third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, ratified the landmark Paris climate deal, giving a significant push for the deal to enter into force by the end of this year.
"The President of the Republic (Francois Hollande) welcomes the ratification of the Paris Agreement by India, on this symbolic day commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's birthday," a Communique issued by the French Presidency said.
"This decision, coming after the decision of the Environment Ministers of the European Union, brings us closer to the entry into force of the Paris agreement before the end of the year," it said.
French President Hollande recalled that India played a key role in the adoption of this agreement in December 2015.
India also launched, with France, the International Solar Alliance, which will contribute to the realisation of the objectives of the Paris agreement by facilitating access to solar energy.
Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin handed over the Instrument of Ratification signed by President Pranab Mukherjee, to Santiago Villalpando, the Head of the Treaties Division at the UN, at a special ceremony here attended by top UN officials and senior diplomats to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.
The pact will come into force after it has been ratified by at least 55 countries which account for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. With India's move, a total of 62 countries accounting for almost 52 per cent of emissions have now ratified the accord.
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