BAKU — India is not attending the two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit (WLCAS) beginning Tuesday with country statements at the 2024 UN climate conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan that is focussed heavily on securing a new climate finance target for countries most vulnerable to climate impacts. Ilham Aliyev, President of host Azerbaijan, has invited heads of state and governments to participate in the WLCAS when the first part of the high-level segment will also take place. Eighty-two national leaders, vice-presidents and senior envoys are lined up to speak on Tuesday and Wednesday. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley is the pick of the bunch, but there’s a host of leaders including Spain’s Pedro Sanchez, Nepal’s Ram Chandra Paudel and Congo’s Judith Suminwa Tuluka whose countries have been battered this year. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer will offer the rare prospect of praise as he lands the UK’s new 2035 target. UK climate advisors recommended 81 per cent greenhouse gas cuts on 1990 levels last month. Climate boss Ed Miliband says London is committed to “accelerating” climate action, but don’t expect a hike on climate finance from a cash-strapped nation, pointed out a climate negotiator from a developing country. The invitation...