Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Biman MukherjiJanuary 30, 2026 at 01:24 PM
Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

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short article 1 min

Former IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath has suggested India prioritize tackling pollution over tariff negotiations to attract foreign investment. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Gopinath argued that India's air quality is a significant factor for investors due to its impact on health. While India has made strides in renewable energy, achieving its Paris Agreement goal of 50% non-fossil fuel power capacity ahead of schedule, analysts believe addressing pollution is crucial. Gopinath cited a World Bank study indicating that pollution caused approximately 1.7 million deaths in India in 2019, emphasizing that this issue could deter international investors. She advocated for a "war footing" approach to improving India's air quality.

Keywords

pollution 100% air quality 80% india 80% foreign investment 70% green economy 60% renewable energy 50% tariffs 40% fossil fuels 40%

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Negative
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Source
South China Morning Post
Political Lean
Center-Right (0.50)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
90%
Geographic Perspective
India

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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