According to a report by Cai Lian She on November 27, Amrit Lal Meena, a senior official at India’s Ministry of Coal, recently stated in a statement that coal will continue to play a critical role in India’s economic growth and development. By 2028, the country’s underground coal production is expected to double, which will help offset the output reductions caused by the depletion of many open-pit coal mines. The ministry also indicated that it is preparing to auction off new coal mine blocks, accelerate environmental remediation efforts, and introduce incentive measures to attract foreign investment and boost domestic equipment manufacturing. India’s reliance on coal has become a key point of contention in international climate negotiations ahead of the upcoming United Nations COP 28 summit to be held in Dubai. It is understood that as early as the 2021 Conference of the Parties, India had already signed an agreement to “phase down coal.”