India authorities on Wednesday detained environmental activist Harjeet Singh as part of a probe into foreign funding for campaign aimed at influencing the country’s energy policies. Singh, who leads the NGO Satat Sampada (Nature Forever) with his wife Jyoti Awasthi, was briefly held and later released, officials said. The organization has been promoting the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a global initiative seeking to phase out fossil fuels.
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The Enforcement Directorate searched Singh and Awasthi’s home in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, citing “suspicious foreign inward remittances” received by the NGO. Indian authorities allege that these funds were used to support campaigns that could potentially challenge India’s energy security and economic development. Singh and Awasthi were not immediately available for comment.
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty was first proposed in 2022 by the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu and is backed by 18 developing countries, including Colombia and Pakistan. It aims to halt fossil fuel production and support a global transition to renewable energy, emphasizing financial aid, technology transfer, and cooperation to assist developing nations.
The detention comes shortly after the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where some countries opposed stronger measures on phasing out fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. India has expressed concerns that adopting the treaty could expose the country to legal challenges in international forums, such as the International Court of Justice.
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Tzeporah Berman, chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said the treaty’s objective is to support, not undermine, developing nations like India. She emphasized that the initiative seeks a fair and orderly transition to renewable energy while prioritizing those most in need.
The case highlights tensions between global climate initiatives and national energy policies, reflecting the complex balance India seeks between sustainable development and economic growth.