PM’s decision to attend Copenhagen Summit on climate change a welcome step
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Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s decision to attend the Copenhagen Summit on climate change on December 18 is a welcome step as it reflects the seriousness attached by India to the global meet. There is tremendous pressure from the developed countries on India to accept the binding emission cuts.
Though India has been resisting the developed nations’ demand so far, the one man who can tactfully tackle the situation is none other than Dr Singh who has successfully handled several such situations at several international forums in the past. Since India is the fourth largest carbon producer in the world, along with Brazil, South Africa and China, are to play a crucial role in the meet.
Dr Singh’s presence will make the difference in the meet on an important issue as emission cut as the country’s growth trajectory is at stake. India needs to be extra careful in the negotiations in the meet as the nation’s growth will hit hard if anything undesirable is conceded under the developed nations pressure. Means, there will be pressure on India to announce the Peaking Year as far as the emission is concerned. It is clear from the concept of Peaking Year being introduced by the Developed nations in the Summit will put immense pressure on developing Nations to concede more on this front.
So far, India has been obstinate that it will not budge from its stand that no peaking year will be declared at the international forum. That is why Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had stated global climate talks in Copenhagen on December 5 would be at a "dead end" if a Danish draft proposal, urging the world to adopt 2020 as the year when emissions will peak, is put forward.
Dr Singh has announced in New Delhi that he will undertake a two-day visit from December 17. The decision of the Prime Minister to attend the Summit comes against the backdrop of insistence by world leaders, including US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who sought Dr Singh’s presence in the summit.
Dr Singh, during his meeting with Obama last week, was asked by the US President to attend the Summit. Subsequently, when Sarkozy met Singh in Port of Spain, he also requested him to join him at Copenhagen.
Earlier, India had decided that it will be represented by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh at the meet.
