Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2023 to Question 174402 on Development Aid to India, if he will hold discussions with (a) his Indian counterparts and (b) representatives of the World Bank on the (i) land procurement process for and (ii) impact on famers of the development solar park in Madhya Pradesh.

India's energy choices are crucial to global climate change outcomes. The UK Government welcomes India's commitment to expanding renewables at an unprecedented speed and its international leadership on initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance. We are supporting India's efforts to achieve its climate goals and Net Zero by 2070, including through a guarantee to the World Bank to provide an additional $1 billion of climate finance and British International Investment Partnerships.

As with all major infrastructure projects undertaken around the world, understanding and mitigating the social and environmental impacts on affected communities (including through consultation) forms an important part of the project. The World Bank has an Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) for protecting people and the environment and the Government monitors the Bank's adherence to these standards.