New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) India will never agree to the elimination of the distinction between developed and developing countries as far as binding commitments on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are concerned, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said here Tuesday.
In a written statement, Ramesh reiterated his commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 2007 Bali Action Plan, but was silent on the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol, which India has been trying hard to save.

Under attack from the opposition and isolated in his own party following a report that he was trying to turn around India’s long-held position on climate change, Ramesh clarified his position and said he has not advocated the abandoning of “the fundamental tenets of the Kyoto Protocol”. However, he did not specify his stance on the future of the protocol that puts the onus of reducing emissions on the developed world.

In the statement issued in reaction to a report in the Times of India Monday, Ramesh said: “Yesterday, a leading newspaper had carried a news item on a discussion note that I wrote on climate change. The news item has quoted only partially and selectively from this note, and significantly added its own editorial interpretations, thereby completely distorting and twisting its meaning.

“Let me reiterate India’s non-negotiables in the ongoing international climate change negotiations.

“While India is prepared to discuss and make public periodically the implementation of its National Action Plan on Climate Change, India will never accept internationally legally binding emission reduction targets or commitments as part of any agreement or deal or outcome.”

He added that India would “never accept any dilution or renegotiation” of the UNFCCC.

In particular, the minister said, the government would “never agree to the elimination of the distinction between developed (Annex I) countries and developing (non-Annex I) countries as far as internationally legally binding emission reduction obligations are concerned”.

He said India would agree to consider international measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of its mitigation actions only when such actions are enabled and supported by international finance and technology.

“There has always been a broad political consensus regarding the Indian position on climate change. India has been engaged in climate change negotiations, whether in UNFCCC or multilateral fora, based on a clear and definite brief which has not changed since 2004,” the minister asserted.

“My note suggested the possibility of some flexibility in India’s stance, keeping the above non-negotiable firmly intact and keeping India irrevocably anchored in the UNFCCC of 1992 and the Bali Action Plan of 2007.

“I have never at any stage considered or advocated abandoning the fundamental tenets of the Kyoto Protocol, as was stated in the article - this is a mischievous interpretation of the newspaper. My basic point is that India’s interests and India’s interests alone shall dictate at our negotiating stance.”

Responding to insinuations that he reflected a pro-US bias, he said he would let his actions speak for themselves.

“India is working, and will continue to work, closely with our partners in the G-77 and China in articulating a common position on this issue, while also engaging with other countries to our benefit.”