PM discusses climate change with Sarkozy, Brown

Ahead of the Copenhagen summit on climate change, India today discussed with France and the UK ways to ensure the success of the event as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Premier Gordon Brown here.

During the separate meetings with Sarkozy and Brown, Singh told them India had a major stake in the Copenhagen meet and would like to see a “balanced, ambitious and equitable outcome” from it, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash told reporters here.

Singh emphasised on the transfer of adequate resources and technology to developing nations, which was the “key” to the fight against climate change, Prakash said.

Noting India was one of the worst affected by climate change, Singh apprised Sarkozy and Brown of the unilateral steps taken by his government to tackle the problem through the National Action Plan, Prakash said.

Singh told them about the thrust being given by India to renewable energy, like solar energy. He said several proposals had been received from various countries over dealing with the climate change and these were under consideration.

Singh, Sarkozy and Brown, are here to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The exchange of views that Singh had with Sarkozy and Brown on climate change assumes significance as it comes just a week ahead of the Copenhagen Summit on the issue.

India is pressing for a “legally-binding substantive” outcome at the Copenhagen meet, disapproving the attempt by the US and some other developed countries to defer a cut in greenhouse gas emission.

India maintains there is still some time left for the high-level segment of the Copenhagen meet, beginning December 16, and efforts should be made to get the maximum from it.

France is not a member of the Commonwealth, a group of 53 former British colonies, but Sarkozy is here as a special invitee at the summit that has climate change as the main theme of deliberations.

Singh and Sarkozy are also understood to have discussed issues related to defence cooperation, particularly the upgrade of Mirage-2000 fighters by France.

The two leaders also talked about the Indo-French civil nuclear cooperation against the backdrop of French Assembly adopting a law authorising the ratification of the pact signed in September last year. The adoption is subsequent to the passing of the same law by the Senate on October 15, 2009.

Singh and Sarkozy expressed satisfaction over the ongoing cooperation. India has already allocated a site to France for setting up a nuclear plant.

The unanimous vote by both assemblies is an important milestone in the development of the civilian nuclear cooperation between France and India, the French foreign ministry has said.

“It will enable the early entry into force of the agreement. It now paves the way for strengthening relations between French and Indian partners and for more concrete developments in the industrial field,” it said.

“The strengthening of the civil nuclear cooperation will contribute to economic growth and development, improve energy security and contribute to limiting greenhouse gas emissions,” the French ministry said.