Climate change summit: India hits back at Kerry’s remark

NEW DELHI: Reacting to “unprovoked criticism” of India by the US on the basis of its “proactive” role in the climate change negotiations, top government functionaries today said India would continue to bat for developing nations in the upcoming Paris climate change summit.

"India is going to Paris with a positive mindset. We will be facilitators, not the blocker of the consensus there. Our record of the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions is appreciated by all. We want to ensure that the conference is a hit." - Prakash Javadekar, Environment Minister

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 25

Reacting to “unprovoked criticism” of India by the US on the basis of its “proactive” role in the climate change negotiations, top government functionaries today said India would continue to bat for developing nations in the upcoming Paris climate change summit.

According to Indian negotiators, US Secretary of State John Kerry’s remark (that India will be a “challenge” at the summit) was a “deliberate attempt” to divide the biggest negotiating bock —G-77 + China. The announcement of $14 billion to the Africa group is also part of the “plan”, they add.

As per top government functionaries, India, among other issues, will contest “lack” of commitment of developed countries on finance and technology at the ADP (Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action). “India will work with allies such as the group of like-minded developing countries (LMDCs) for the formulation of text acceptable to all,” they say.

The key issues that India will take up include the “downplaying of developed countries’ commitments and enhancement of developing countries’ contribution”. Indian negotiators will also challenge “attempts to enlarge the contributor base and shrink the recipient base for climate finance” at the upcoming Paris COP.

Terming Kerry’s remarks as “unwarranted”, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said India was “not in the habit of being under pressure from anybody”. The developed countries will have to “walk the talk” in Paris to ensure that the conference was a success, he said.

Officials said it was a deliberate attempt by Kerry to divide developing nations. “We know the developed nations are used to flexing their muscles and having their way. They are worried that India’s proactive role in ADP negotiations is yielding results. Developing nations across the world are appreciating India’s plans to curb emissions. Our Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) have been well appreciated the world over,” they said.