New Delhi, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen took a ride in an electric rickshaw during his official engagements in New Delhi, with the brief outing also seeing him take over the driver’s seat.
A video shared on X by Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green showed Bowen first riding in the electric rickshaw and later trying his hand at driving it.
“Between meetings in New Delhi, Minister Chris Bowen hopped into an electric rickshaw, getting a closer look at the innovation driving the clean energy transition. What started as a ride quickly turned into a chance to get behind the wheel. Turns out it was a pretty fun ride!” Green said in his post.
Bowen is visiting India as part of efforts to strengthen Australia’s fuel security and work with international partners on global energy security.
During his visit, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav met Bowen to discuss key agenda items for the upcoming Pre-COP ministerial meeting in Fiji and COP31 in Turkey.
“Happy to have met with Mr Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy and President of the COP31 negotiations, in New Delhi today. We had an engaging discussion on key agenda items for the upcoming Pre-COP in Fiji and COP31 in Turkey,” Yadav posted on X.
Yadav said he highlighted India’s climate action over the past decade and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting Australia in its role as President of the COP31 negotiations.
Bowen has described India as an “indispensable voice” in shaping the future of global climate and energy policy, pointing to the country’s expansion of clean energy.
Addressing a Pre-COP Dialogue titled “Partners in Green Transition: Advancing Ambition, Action and Partnerships for COP31” in New Delhi on Wednesday, Bowen said India’s experience would be important to the global climate conversation as countries work to accelerate implementation of their climate commitments.
The dialogue, organised by the Chintan Research Foundation in partnership with the Australian High Commission, brought together policymakers, diplomats, researchers and climate practitioners to discuss priorities ahead of COP31, scheduled to be held in Turkey in November 2026.
“India is showing the world that clean energy is not a brake on prosperity, but a pathway to it,” Bowen said in his keynote address.
He said COP31 would be inclusive and transparent, with electrification and investment certainty among the key priorities.
The Australian minister also stressed the importance of elevating the voices of Pacific Island countries, including through Pre-COP events in Fiji and Tuvalu.
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