PM: No pressure to sign deal on emission cut

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 25

Dismissing speculation of "US pressure" on him to enter into a "US-China" like agreement on emission cuts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said no "pressure" from any person (US President) or country (the US) could work on India.

But when he termed "climate change" and "global warming" as the "biggest pressure" on anyone who was worried about future generation, the PM was perhaps also specifying the pro-active role that India would play in crucial talks for a strong global climate pact on emission cuts in the crucial UN climate conference in Paris later this year.

"The President and I expressed hope for a successful Paris conference on climate change this year," he said, terming clean and renewable energy "a personal and national priority" for him and Obama on a day the two countries announced steps to promote clean energy - expanding solar energy initiatives and launching joint projects to improve air quality in Indian cities.

Modi said: "We discussed our efforts and goals to increase the use of clean and renewable energy. We also agreed to enhance our innovative partnership in this area. I asked him to lead international efforts in making renewable energy more accessible and affordable to the world."