New Delhi:
India's outspoken Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh, was caught on the back foot with his strong letter to the Prime Minister, reportedly calling for a change in India's negotiating tactics at the climate change talks. But today, before he could clarify, there was a warning from the Prime Minister himself.
Speaking at a military meet, the Prime Minister said, "There are concerted attempts by the developed countries to impose new obligations on developing countries like India to limit emission of greenhouse gases. This could impact on our economic development."
On the defensive, Jairam Ramesh said, "India will never accept internationally legally binding emission reduction targets." He claimed his letter to the Prime Minister had been misreported.
It had said: "India should take the position that it welcomes any initiative to bring in the USA into the mainstream, if need be through a special mechanism", suggesting India was open to doing away with the Kyoto protocol.
The letter further said that "India must listen more and speak less in negotiations" as its stance is "disfavoured by the developed countries. It takes away from India's aspirations for permanent membership of the Security Council."
These comments were sharply criticized as diluting India's stand.
So the damage control went beyond the Prime Minister and minister's statements. Specially as the stakes are high and the Copenhagen negotiations could impact India's economic development.
"The PMO has clarified that the letter was just a note before a meeting and is not part of policy. There is no change in India's stand. We stick to what we have been saying consistently," said C Dasgupta, climate negotiator, India.
Notably, India's team of negotiators will be headed by Shyam Saran, the former foreign secretary, handpicked for the job by the Prime Minister himself.