Kerry urges climate change action on eve of India talks
by Lesley Wroughton,
2013-06-24 09:57:23.0
NEW DELHI — US Secretary of State John Kerry urged fast-growing India to work with Washington to tackle climate change and develop green technologies, on the eve of talks on trade and regional security.
Emerging economies like India have resisted pressure in global climate talks to commit to targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in a dispute with rich nations over whose industries should bear the brunt of the cuts.
But Mr Kerry, on a seven-nation tour in the Middle East and Asia, said on Sunday failing to act would undermine growth and hurt the poorest the most.
The day before he was due to take part in the fourth annual US-India Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, he urged India to work with the US to negotiate a global treaty on curbing global warming.
"We should work constructively side-by-side in the UN (United Nations) climate negotiations. I am convinced we can move toward a global agreement … that is sensitive to and respectful of the diversity of national circumstances," he said in a speech.
"The health of our planet and the irreversible climate challenge speeding toward us, crying out for a global solution, is the place to begin this conversation," Mr Kerry said.
Co-operation on developing clean technologies would also spur economic growth and create jobs, he added.
"As we look forward, India and the US, with our traditions of innovation and technology, are particularly well-positioned and ready to roll up our sleeves and take advantage of this opportunity," he said.
"If we do this right, it won’t hurt our economies — it will grow them," he said, noting that new energy markets were worth $6-trillion.
Over the years, the US and India have expanded co-operation on clean energy through the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy, or PACE, mobilising more than $1.7bn to finance clean energy initiatives.
Mr Kerry’s talks with India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders on Monday are expected to focus on increasing opportunities for business and trade.
In recent weeks, US business groups have increased their calls for the Obama administration to press India to change policies they say threaten American exports, jobs and innovation.
In a letter to US President Barack Obama earlier this month, US legislators said Indian policy makers and courts had taken a series of actions designed to block imports by forcing local production of a wide range of manufactured goods.
Monday’s talks will also hone in on regional security issues, including the drawdown of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation troops and an election in Afghanistan next year together with political transitions in Pakistan and Iran.
Reuters
GREEN PARTNERSHIP: US Secretary of State John Kerry, right, shakes hands with Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid before their meeting in New Delhi on Monday. Picture: REUTERS
NEW DELHI — US Secretary of State John Kerry urged fast-growing India to work with Washington to tackle climate change and develop green technologies, on the eve of talks on trade and regional security.
Emerging economies like India have resisted pressure in global climate talks to commit to targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in a dispute with rich nations over whose industries should bear the brunt of the cuts.
But Mr Kerry, on a seven-nation tour in the Middle East and Asia, said on Sunday failing to act would undermine growth and hurt the poorest the most.
The day before he was due to take part in the fourth annual US-India Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, he urged India to work with the US to negotiate a global treaty on curbing global warming.
"We should work constructively side-by-side in the UN (United Nations) climate negotiations. I am convinced we can move toward a global agreement … that is sensitive to and respectful of the diversity of national circumstances," he said in a speech.
"The health of our planet and the irreversible climate challenge speeding toward us, crying out for a global solution, is the place to begin this conversation," Mr Kerry said.
Co-operation on developing clean technologies would also spur economic growth and create jobs, he added.
"As we look forward, India and the US, with our traditions of innovation and technology, are particularly well-positioned and ready to roll up our sleeves and take advantage of this opportunity," he said.
"If we do this right, it won’t hurt our economies — it will grow them," he said, noting that new energy markets were worth $6-trillion.
Over the years, the US and India have expanded co-operation on clean energy through the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy, or PACE, mobilising more than $1.7bn to finance clean energy initiatives.
Mr Kerry’s talks with India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders on Monday are expected to focus on increasing opportunities for business and trade.
In recent weeks, US business groups have increased their calls for the Obama administration to press India to change policies they say threaten American exports, jobs and innovation.
In a letter to US President Barack Obama earlier this month, US legislators said Indian policy makers and courts had taken a series of actions designed to block imports by forcing local production of a wide range of manufactured goods.
Monday’s talks will also hone in on regional security issues, including the drawdown of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation troops and an election in Afghanistan next year together with political transitions in Pakistan and Iran.
Reuters
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