New Delhi/Paris, Oct 2 (IANS) India on Sunday deposited its Instrument of Ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at the United Nations.
"India keeps its promise. On Gandhiji's birth anniversary we deposit the instrument of ratification of #ParisAgreement #climatechange", tweeted External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
French President Fran?ois Hollande welcomed the ratification of the Paris Agreement by India, on this symbolic day commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.
"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," said a communique issued by the French Presidency.
Hollande recalled that India played a key role in the adoption of this agreement in December 2015.
The Indian cabinet, on September 28, decided to ratify the Paris Agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced during the BJP National Council meeting late last month that India would ratify the 21st Conference of Parties (CoP) protocol on combating climate change on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2.
The Paris Agreement was adopted by 185 nations on December 12 last year and India signed it in New York on April 22 this year. A total of 191 countries have signed the Paris Agreement so far.