Pakistan’s most populous province’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has advocated for “climate diplomacy” with India to address worsening smog levels ahead of winter. She emphasized the need for dialogue between the neighboring countries to combat air pollution, which often crosses borders due to prevailing winds.
Maryam Nawaz remarked, “We should talk to them; this is what climate diplomacy is about. India and Pakistan need to coordinate on reducing toxic smog.”
Although India and Pakistan have experienced moments of diplomatic warming, ties have been mostly stagnant since they downgraded relations in 2019. The winter season typically brings severe pollution to both countries, with Lahore and Delhi consistently ranking among the world’s most polluted cities.
During colder months, pollution gets trapped near the ground due to temperature inversion, causing an increase in respiratory illnesses. Air pollution remains a severe public health issue in South Asia, with life expectancy in the region reduced by over five years per person due to hazardous air quality.
India’s foreign minister is scheduled to visit Pakistan next week for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, marking the first visit of this kind in almost a decade. However, India’s government has indicated that bilateral issues will not be on the agenda.
