Trump | Climate Change
'Look at India. The air is filthy': Trump shifts blame on climate change in presidential debate
Washington/New Delhi/IBNS: United States President Donald Trump called out India, China and Russia for pumping "filthy" air in the environment while taking on Democrat rival Joe Biden's, attacking him for his views on tackling climate change and defending his own walk out from the Paris accord.
"Look at China, how filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India. The air is filthy. I walked out of the Paris Accord as we had to take out trillions of dollars and we were treated very unfairly," he said during the second and final debate last night ahead of the November 3 US polls.
"I will not sacrifice millions of jobs... thousands of companies because of the Paris Accord. It is very unfair," he said at the televised debate in which the two leaders did not shake hands owing to Covid-19 situation.
Trump's retort came after Joe Biden's assertions that climate change is "an existential threat to humanity. We have a moral obligation to deal with it."
"We're going to pass the point of no return within the next eight to 10 years," he said.
Trump's remarks came days before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper are scheduled to visit New Delhi for strengthening US-India partnership.
The US President's critical reference to India has drawn a sharp reaction in India, with many urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue a strong reaction to Trump's statement.
The Opposition, however, did not lose the opportunity to take a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bonhomie with President Donald Trump, which was seen as the beginning of a new era of India-US partnership.
Taking a dig at PM Modi, Congress leader Kapil Sibal listed a number of occasions President Trump criticised India.
Trump : Fruits of Friendship
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) October 23, 2020
1) Questions India’s COVID death toll
2) Says India sends dirt up into the air
India “ air is filthy “
3) Called India “ tariff king “
The result of “Howdy Modi “ !
Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, while expressing regret over the "unfortunate comments" made by the US leader, reminded him that India stands committed to climate change goals.
What an unfortunate comment to make about India, @realDonaldTrump .
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) October 23, 2020
Reminder: India stands committed to climate change goals, US chose to withdraw, much against the wishes of many Americans. Thank you.
“Look at India, it’s filthy!” I hope you’re listening @narendramodi. “Ab ki bar Trump sarkar.”
— Aatish Taseer (@AatishTaseer) October 23, 2020
In 2017, Trump withdrew from 2015 Paris climate agreement, a global agreement in which Barack Obama, President Trump's predecessor, had played a significant role.
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