Climate diplomacy

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s call for climate diplomacy with India is a much-needed initiative in the battle against the hazardous smog affecting both Punjabs. As she rightly points out, air pollution doesn’t recognise borders. The deteriorating air quality has taken a heavy toll on public health, with residents in Lahore and Delhi suffering from burning eyes, sore throats, and chronic respiratory issues. The time for joint action on this humanitarian crisis is now, and if “both Punjabs do not join hands", as CM Nawaz said, millions of lives could suffer the consequences of inaction. The current air quality crisis brings to light a grim truth: South Asia is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate change. Rising air pollution alone has been shown to shorten life expectancy by over five years per person across the region. With Lahore and Delhi consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted cities, urgent cross-border collaboration has never been more critical.

CM Maryam Nawaz’s proposal for ‘smog diplomacy’ acknowledges the reality that polluted air knows no political divisions. Past initiatives like cricket diplomacy demonstrated how culture could temporarily thaw strained ties; it is now time for climate diplomacy. While relations between India and Pakistan have largely been stalled since diplomatic ties were downgraded in 2019, the recent visit by Indian Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar to Pakistan for the SCO Summit offers a glimmer of hope for renewed cooperation. CM Nawaz’s initiative is thus well-timed. Beyond the immediate smog crisis, climate diplomacy between the two Punjabs could establish a foundation for a broader, sustained dialogue on the shared environmental challenges facing South Asia. Climate change is not a selective crisis; both nations, already highly susceptible to climate-induced disasters, are witnessing unprecedented floods, heatwaves, and droughts. Cross-border dialogue on climate adaptation and disaster preparedness could open the door for collaborative policies on crop burning, waste management, and green energy initiatives – all significant contributors to pollution and climate degradation in the region.

Air pollution and climate disasters are affecting the poorest communities the hardest, exacerbating inequality in both nations. People who lack access to healthcare and safer living conditions are left to grapple with health crises born of this neglected environmental crisis. By extending a hand in partnership, the two Punjabs could serve as an example of responsible leadership that prioritises human welfare over longstanding political rifts. This diplomatic overture also speaks to the role of regional leaders in addressing a crisis that even national-level politics have failed to solve. India and Pakistan must now decide whether they will continue to let outdated rivalries dictate their approach or if they will prioritise their citizens’ well-being. Both Punjabs are uniquely positioned to demonstrate that even amidst tense diplomatic climates, collaborative solutions can emerge to protect public health. Regional diplomacy, led by provincial governments, could provide a model of practical cooperation that benefits citizens on both sides of the border and reinforces the message that some issues transcend national divides. One hopes the government of Indian Punjab responds constructively to CM Maryam Nawaz’s anticipated outreach. A joint provincial-level effort against smog would not only alleviate suffering but also pave the way for greater cooperation on broader climate-related challenges. The stakes are far too high to ignore the call for climate diplomacy.