The White House today lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that India would ratify the Paris agreement on climate change on October 2, saying this is another example of his courageous leadership.


"We welcome the actions from the Indian government. It is just another example of the courageous leadership that Prime Minister Modi has shown on this issue. And that's to his credit," the White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference yesterday.


"He (Modi) recognises how important it is for India to be a leader in the international community on this issue. And he's making good on that priority, and he deserves a lot of credit for that.


"And I know that the President, when he met with Prime Minister Modi earlier this month in Laos, had an opportunity to thank him for his leadership on this issue," Earnest said.


The US President Barack Obama met the Prime Minister in Laos early this month on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. India's ratification of the Paris agreement on climate change is expected to bring the agreement closer to be being enforced.