The agreement reached in Paris by almost 200 countries last December aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by moving away from fossil fuels in order to limit global warming to less than two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. In order for the agreement to take effect, it must be officially ratified by countries that make up at least 55 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The UN Secretary-General's spokesperson has urged all parties to speed up their internal processes to join the agreement this year. The European Union is expected to complete the joint ratification of the climate pact next week, which will be a significant milestone as it will push approvals past the 55 percent threshold and put the agreement into effect before the next round of climate talks in Morocco in November. The Paris agreement received a boost recently when the United States and China, the top two emitters in the world, submitted their approvals to the United Nations. Concerns hover over the deal due to the potential involvement of the United States, but finalizing the agreement before the US presidential election on Nov 8 would make it more difficult to contest if Republican Donald Trump, who has expressed opposition to the deal, wins over Democrat Hillary Clinton, a staunch supporter. President Obama praised India's ratification in a tweet, commending Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the country for upholding Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and his vision for a sustainable world for future generations. India had urged for further work on the agreement before ratifying it, with its environment ministry stating that while the Paris agreement provided a general framework, specific guidelines and regulations were necessary for it to be fully implemented. The ministry also expressed disapproval towards developed nations, stating that their citizens lead luxurious lives that have a significant environmental impact. The ministry emphasized the importance of addressing key issues such as finance and technology transfer at the upcoming meeting in Marrakesh. India intends to push developed countries to take more action at the conference in Morocco, insisting on a clear plan of action.