Prime Minister Narendra Modi signaled that India will not dilute its well-stated position in the run up to the UN climate summit in Paris next year.
In a remark which may disappoint rich nations, specifically the US, Canada and the European Union (EU) countries, Modi insisted on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” (CBDR) and made it clear that this should “form the basis of continued action” in future. (PTI Photo)
Global communities might have missed India’s point at the climate summit in New York on September 23, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi made up for the loss four days later by articulating the country’s views on the necessary actions to be taken to face the challenges of climate change during his UN general assembly speech on 27th of September.
In a remark which may disappoint rich nations, specifically the US, Canada and the European Union (EU) countries, Modi insisted on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” (CBDR) and made it clear that this should “form the basis of continued action” in future.
It’s a clear signal that India will not dilute its well-stated position when the country representatives would assemble in Lima, Peru in December for climate change negotiations in the run up to the global deal in Paris next year.
Without shirking India’s responsibility, Modi sought to remind the gathering of the core of the Kyoto Protocol and said, “The world had agreed on a beautiful balance of collective action – common but differentiated responsibilities. That should form the basis of continued action. This also means that the developed countries must fulfill their commitments for funding and technology transfer”.
The remark assumes significance ahead of the Peru Climate talks where the rich nations may try to negotiate around diluting the clause of the UN convention and insist that the world is changing and this should be reflected in the principle of CBDR as well. Developed countries have consistently been pointing out the records of China and India – fast developing economies – that have been emitting fairly high percentage of carbon into atmosphere in the past over one decade.