Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, January 8, 2026 – Indian authorities detained and later released activist Harjeet Singh, a global environmental campaigner, as part of an investigation into foreign funding linked to energy policies.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the home of activist Harjeet Singh and his wife, Jyoti Awasthi. They run the environmental NGO Satat Sampada (Nature Forever), which promotes the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT) in India. The agency is probing “suspicious foreign inward remittances” received by the organization, officials said.
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, first proposed in 2022 by Vanuatu, seeks to stop fossil fuel production and support a transition to green energy. It is backed by 18 developing countries, including Colombia and Pakistan. Supporters say the treaty encourages fair energy transitions through international cooperation, finance, and technology transfer.
Indian authorities have expressed concern that adopting the treaty could create legal challenges in international forums, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and could affect India’s energy security and economic development. The ICJ issued an advisory opinion last July stating that wealthy nations have responsibilities to curb climate change.
The probe follows the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where several countries objected to outcomes that avoided stronger measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or phase out fossil fuels. Indian officials stressed that while the treaty is framed as a climate initiative, it could expose the country to legal and economic risks.
Tzeporah Berman, founder of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said the proposal is designed to support developing nations, including India. She added it promotes fair transitions to renewable energy, focusing on countries most in need.
Activist Harjeet Singh and his wife were not immediately available for comment. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to review foreign funding linked to environmental NGOs operating in India.
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