India, Nov. 9 -- Ten years ago, India flipped the script on its approach to climate negotiations. It worked with rich and poor countries to craft the Paris Agreement, launch the International Solar Alliance, supported Mission Innovation, set out ambitious targets for energy access and clean energy, and positioned itself as a champion of climate justice. A decade thereon, the dynamism of India's economy is more evident, as is the scale of its energy transition. But it now faces a fork in the road: Will it build on this legacy or allow global climate reversals insert road bumps on its path to sustainable growth?

At COP30 - starting in Belem, Brazil today - there will be much hand-wringing about what's not happening and who is to blame. Cut...