India’s Balancing Act on Plastics at Global Treaty Talks in Geneva

As countries gather in Geneva for the sixth round of negotiations on a global plastics treaty, India’s position has come under the spotlight. While over 170 nations are pushing for a binding agreement to curb plastic pollution, India is aligning with countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia in opposing production caps on plastics. Instead, it wants the treaty to focus primarily on managing plastic waste rather than restricting production at its source.

A Push for Waste Management, Not Production Cuts

India has made it clear that its priority lies in managing plastic waste rather than limiting how much plastic is produced. This aligns with its economic growth strategy, where plastics remain a critical component for industries ranging from packaging to infrastructure. In Geneva, Indian representatives have emphasised that measures like production caps would impede development, particularly in emerging petrochemical hubs like Dahej, which play a vital role in the nation’s exports and manufacturing base.

Instead of curbing production, India is advocating for a global framework centred on improving waste management. It wants the treaty to support initiatives like recycling and extended producer responsibility while steering clear of interventions aimed at upstream production or regulating chemicals in plastics. This position, however, has been met with concerns from environmental groups and public health advocates, who argue that reducing production is essential to addressing the root cause of the plastic crisis.

Development Goals Versus Environmental Concerns

For India, plastics are not just an environmental issue but also an economic lifeline. The country’s plastics industry consists of nearly 130,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) employing millions and generating significant export revenues. Policymakers argue that sudden restrictions on production could disrupt livelihoods and hamper growth in a sector that supports the country’s broader development goals.

At the same time, the environmental toll is hard to ignore. Reports have highlighted how industrial zones like Dahej, which are central to India’s petrochemical ambitions, are linked to microplastic contamination and health concerns among local communities, including fisherfolk. This dual reality, of economic opportunity on one hand and social and environmental costs on the other, reflects the complexity of India’s position in the global treaty negotiations.

Seeking Support Through Global Funding

To bridge this gap between development needs and environmental responsibilities, India has proposed the creation of a multilateral fund. Such a mechanism, it argues, would provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries, enabling them to adopt cleaner production methods and improve waste management systems without compromising their growth prospects.

India’s stance also draws on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” insisting that the treaty must account for the varied capacities and needs of developing nations. As negotiations continue in Geneva until August 14, the outcome will depend on whether countries can reconcile these competing priorities, balancing global ambitions for a plastic-free future with the economic realities faced by nations like India.

References:

https://www.indiatoday.in/environment/story/geneva-negotiation-plastic-treaty-plastic-pollution-plastic-waste-2765975-2025-08-04

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/at-global-plastics-treaty-in-geneva-indias-pro-plastics-dilemma-is-clear

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/just-transition-in-petrochemicals-dahej-near-bharuch-is-asia-s-richest-industrial-zone-but-what-of-its-local-fisherfolk-93783#:~:text=How%20effective%20this%20strategy%20has,caused%20to%20the%20local%20environment.

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