New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) Agreeing to “international consultations and analysis” in the Copenhagen Accord in no way challenges India’s sovereignty, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Director General R.K. Pachauri said Wednesday.
“I don’t think the provisions of international consultations and analysis gives anybody right to challenge anybody. It does not carry any weight,” Pachauri told reporters here.

Controversy erupted after the four BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) agreed to international consultations and analysis of climate change mitigation steps that will be taken by them.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left parties charged the government with compromising sovereignty of the country by agreeing to the provision.

“The term is so innocuous that it can’t be interpreted as loss of sovereignty on our part. I think our sovereignty has not been touched in any way. The four BASIC counties will stick together and won’t let anyone push them over this provision and it is pretty harmless,” Pachauri said.

White House adviser David Axelrod had said Sunday: “Now India, China have set goals. We are to be able to review what they are doing. We are going to be able to challenge them if they do not meet those goals.”

Calling it a statement addressed to the domestic audience, Pachauri said: “The statement was made as they (the US) want the legislation passed in US Senate by first quarter of 2010. With this provision, the US has got consensus on part of other countries by which it can convince the Senate to support the climate change measures the government plans to take.”