When the major climate summit COP26 was held in Glasgow at the end of 2021, India, together with China, managed at the last minute to change the wording of the final document on coal.

Instead of phasing out coal power, it was agreed that the coal would be "phased down".

In addition, India has set 2070 as the year to reach net zero emissions, despite the UN's climate panel saying 2050.

"Developed countries should be more ambitious"

Due to its opposition to the climate goals of the outside world, India has sometimes been portrayed as a climate villain.

But Vaibhav Chaturvedi, research leader at the Indian think tank Ceew, tells the Foreign Office that the West should rather have even more ambitious goals, while India needs to continue to use coal to get out of poverty.

- Britain's emissions peaked in the mid-1970s.

It takes 75 years for them to reach zero emissions.

US emissions reached their peak in 2007, so for them it takes 43 years.

They have said 2050, but they should have done much more in view of the historical responsibility and the better conditions of the rich countries.

Developed countries should reach negative emissions by 2050 and zero emissions in 15-20 years.

The economy depends on coal

India often presses that they account for only seven percent of today's emissions despite the fact that 17 percent of the world's population lives in the country.

It has promised to invest in renewable energy, but Vaibhav Chaturvedi says it needs to proceed cautiously.

Large parts of India's economy are dependent on coal and coal power provides, for example, 70 percent of electricity.

- In some areas of India, there are many coal mines and the economy is directly or indirectly dependent on coal.

This must be taken into account because they will have problems.

Only if you have a well-thought-out plan for a fair transition can you meet this challenge.

Click on the clip to hear Vaibhav Chaturvedi list what India needs to meet its climate goal and see more about India's climate work in the Foreign Office: The villain in Glasgow on SVT2 at 10 pm or on SVT Play from 7.30 pm tonight.