Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India would fulfil all its responsibilities with regard to climate change as he met U.S. President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the climate summit in Paris.
Mr. Modi, in his meeting with Mr. Obama, also appreciated the openness with which the U.S. President addressed issues with him and said it would help in developing a better understanding.
“India will fulfil expectations from it and its responsibilities... the country is working to take forward development and (protecting) environment together,” Mr.Modi said at a joint press event with Mr.Obama.
The Prime Minister also mentioned India’s ambitious target of producing 175 GW of renewable energy.
The Prime Minister’s comments came in the backdrop of India’s strong resentment over U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement that India would be a “challenge” at the climate conference. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar described the comments as “unwarranted”.
Mr.Javadekar and Mr.Kerry accompanied Mr.Modi and Mr.Obama along with other senior Ministers and officials.
Mr.Modi also talked about the solar alliance initiative, saying it would help in fulfilling the dreams which had brought the countries together here.
Ahead of his talks with Mr.Obama, Mr.Modi had said that there was an urgent need to craft a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement to limit global warming.
Later, speaking at the Mission Innovation event hosted by Mr.Obama, Mr.Modi said, “Our innovation initiative should be driven by public purpose, not just market incentives, including on intellectual property.”
“We must come together in a partnership to bring clean energy within the reach of all. The world has assembled in Paris to change the course of our planet to a sustainable path,” Mr.Modi said.
“This partnership will combine the responsibility of government with the innovative capacity of the private sector,” he said.
Mr.Modi began his address by saluting French President Francois Hollande and the French people for their courage and resolve in the aftermath of the horrific Paris attacks.
“We will restore the balance between ecology and economy, and between our inheritance and obligation to the future,” Mr.Modi said. — PT
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