India is advocating for a global plastic treaty that prioritizes addressing plastic pollution without hindering the sustainable development of developing nations. As countries prepare for a crucial meeting of the UN's International Negotiating Committee (INC) in Geneva from August 5-14, 2025, India aims for "consensus-based decision making" to reach an agreement that focuses specifically on "plastic pollution only".

India's stance is that aspects not directly related to plastic pollution should be excluded from the treaty. Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized the need to strike a balance between preventing plastic pollution and ensuring the right to sustainable development for developing countries, considering their unique national circumstances.

India has emphasized the importance of incorporating principles such as equity, sustainable development, and common but differentiated responsibilities. This reflects India's view that developed countries, having historically contributed more to plastic waste and possessing higher per capita waste generation, should provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries. This assistance would facilitate the transition to meet compliance obligations, potentially through a dedicated multilateral fund.

The treaty is crucial, considering that over 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced globally each year, with an estimated 20 million tons polluting land, freshwater, and marine habitats. Without intervention, global plastic waste is projected to reach 1.7 billion metric tons by 2060. The Global Plastic Treaty, initiated in 2022 by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), seeks to establish legally binding measures addressing the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal. This includes reducing plastic production, promoting recycling and reuse, managing hazardous chemicals in plastics, and eliminating harmful practices like open dumping and burning.

India's approach to the treaty negotiations has been to focus on managing downstream plastic pollution through waste management. This stance acknowledges the economic and developmental realities of a nation still undergoing growth. Plastics contribute significantly to India's economy, and the government emphasizes the need for developmental flexibility, arguing that outright bans on plastic production could burden small and medium enterprises and hinder economic growth.

However, India's position has faced criticism, with some arguing that it prioritizes short-term economic interests over long-term environmental sustainability and public health. Concerns have been raised about India's resistance to stricter controls on upstream plastic production. Despite banning single-use plastics in 2022 and promoting sustainable alternatives, India has also expressed reluctance to support the "use" of these alternatives during treaty talks. India has also pushed back against suggestions to reduce the use of primary plastic polymers and associated chemicals of concern.

India's current plastic production is approximately 9.3 million tonnes annually, about 20% of the world's total, which makes the country's position in the treaty negotiations critical. While upstream management poses challenges, focusing on downstream measures like improved regulation and innovation in the packaging sector could create significant impact. India has introduced an extended producer responsibility (EPR) regime under the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, holding Producers, Importers, and Brand-owners (PIBOs) responsible for processing their plastic packaging waste through recycling, reuse, or end-of-life disposal.

India advocates for nationally-driven measures for managing problematic and avoidable plastics, including single-use plastics, guided by scientific criteria. The nation also stresses that any agreement should respect "national priorities, capabilities and priorities and right to development," and that developing countries should receive financial and technical assistance.

The India Plastics Pact, a voluntary business initiative uniting stakeholders across the plastics value chain, aims to promote collaborative action for innovative solutions in how plastics are designed, produced, used, and disposed of.