India in Global Climate Politics: Balancing Continuity and Change

India has played a key role in international processes related to global environment and the climate crisis. The nature of India’s participation has gradually shifted—from being a defensive actor to one actively shaping global efforts on climate change. Yet, some elements of India’s climate policy have remained rooted in its original ideational values. Using the qualitative content analysis method, this article traces the evolution of India’s engagement with international climate diplomacy from Kyoto (1997) to Dubai (2023), with the goal of delineating its continuity and change. The article identifies three factors to explain these shifts—systemic change, institutional reform, and proactive leadership.