India Withdraws Bid to Host COP33, Leaving 2028 Climate Summit in Uncertainty

No additional explanation has been provided for the reversal. The Indian government has not publicly announced the decision and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Climate Home News is the first to report the withdrawal.

The decision leaves ambiguity over the host of COP33, which will follow COP31 in Türkiye and COP32 in Ethiopia. South Korea is now the only country to have expressed interest in hosting the 2028 summit, with a decision expected later this year.

The right to host the annual climate COP negotiations rotates between the United Nations’ five regional groups. This year’s COP31 will be co-hosted by Türkiye and Australia, both members of the Western Europe and Others Group. COP32 is scheduled to take place in the capital city of Ethiopia, representing the African Group. The Asia-Pacific Group is next in line.

India had been widely expected to host COP33 after Modi announced the country’s bid at COP28 in Dubai in 2023. In July 2025, the BRICS group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa stated in a joint declaration that they “welcomed” India’s candidacy to host COP33.

During the same month, The Hindu reported that the Indian government had established a “cell” under the climate change division of the environment ministry to prepare for the summit. However, a letter dated April 2—seen and verified by Climate Home News—confirms the reversal.

In the four-paragraph communication, Rajat Agarwal, the environment ministry official responsible for liaising with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, informed the chair of the Asia-Pacific Group that India is withdrawing its candidacy. The letter states th

at India will continue to engage constructively with the international community on climate action and appreciates the “support and solidarity” of Asia-Pacific countries during its bid.

The withdrawal marks a significant shift in India’s climate diplomacy, leaving the Asia-Pacific Group without a confirmed host for COP33 and placing the spotlight on South Korea as the sole remaining contender.