PETA urges PM Modi to discuss greenhouse gas emissions from meat production with Obama

Animal rights organisation, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss greenhouse gas emissions caused by meat processing with U.S. President Barack Obama, during the latter's visit to New Delhi between January 25 and 27.

President Obama was invited by Prime Minister Modi and will be the first U.S. president to attend the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Obama, who visited India in 2010, would also be the first U.S. president to visit the country twice while in office.

PETA activists braved the rain and Delhi winter as they stood painted in colours of national flags of the two countries and held placards urging people to go vegan in order to combat climate change on Thursday.

Organiser, Puneet Sharma, said meat production and processing is responsible for the emission of a major chunk of greenhouse gases.

"American President Obama will soon be in India and will be holding detailed conversations on climate change with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A lot of studies show that maximum emission of greenhouse gases occurs during the production of meat and dairy products. Our message through this demonstration is that when Modi and Obama meet they also discuss the reduction of meat and dairy production," said Sharma.

The United States and India are expected to announce efforts to work together to combat climate change ahead of key global talks in Paris later this year.

India, the world's third largest carbon emitter, is reluctant to follow the United States and China in committing to a peak year for emissions on the grounds it needs economic growth to alleviate poverty.

Instead, India is likely to trumpet its plans for a rapid expansion of renewable energy, for which it needs U.S. investment and technology, and improving energy efficiency.