Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Climate change and diplomacy was on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s plate Thursday, when he held separate meetings with the visiting leaders of four European countries who are in Delhi to attend the Sustainable Development summit.
Slovenian President Danilo Turk, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stolteberg and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou are participating in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, being organized by The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) Feb 5-7.

World leaders will be gathered at the Delhi summit, the first major global meet after the Copenhagen climate summit in December 2009.

The theme of the three-day meet is ‘Beyond Copenhagen: New pathways to sustainable development’. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the summit, which also marks the tenth anniversary of this flagship event.

“This annual summit that has been happening since 2001 provides knowledge as well as stimulates debate on various aspects of sustainable development. It has emerged as the only forum on global sustainability issues, with an accentuated thrust on problems relating to the developing world,” said a TERI organiser.

Manmohan Singh informed the foreign leaders about India’s position on climate change and the efforts being undertaken to tackle the issue, including the launch of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, though India’s per capita emissions are much lower than the global average.

“He also highlighted that the recent announcement by India to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 20-25 percent by 2020 in comparison to the 2005 levels, is a manifestation of the seriousness with which India wants to contribute to the global action on climate change,” said a press release issued by the ministry of external affairs.

The prime minster also “offered to work with like-minded countries for a positive outcome at the next meeting on climate change in Mexico”.

In his meeting with the Norwegian leader, Manmohan Singh welcomed investments from Norway’s telecom sector as well as “significant flows from Norway’s pension fund”, noting potential for cooperation in renewable energy and hydropower.

Stolteberg will also look at the expansion of a joint solar energy project, which will bring electricity to 32 villages.

With Slovenia, Manmohan Singh talked about exploring shipping links, as well as strengthening of Indian participation in the International Centre for Promotion of Enterprises.

Shipping, renewable energy, information technology and tourism were part of the agenda for expanding ties in talks with Greek Prime Minister Papandreou, with bilateral trade ties set to reach one billion euros.

“Prime Minister highlighted the importance of reducing dependence on fossil fuels since such resources are limited and concentrated in certain parts of the world. He also called for early operationalization of existing MOUs on agriculture and Science and Technology,” said the pressnote.

The presence of Finnish companies, like Nokia, was appreciated in India for creating job opportunities for the youth, the prime minister told Vanhanen.