The visiting Chinese Minister and Vice Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission, Xie Zhenhua signed an agreement on addressing climate change with the Indian Environment and Forests Minister, Jairam Ramesh, signaling closer cooperation between the two countries at the upcoming crucial global climate summit in Copenhagen. Both sides agreed that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol are the most appropriate institutions for addressing climate change, the common concern of humankind.

Reaffirming the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, both countries agreed that in particular the developed countries should take the lead in and continue to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provide financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries.

Ramesh said : “There is not much difference of opinion between India and China on the issue of addressing climate change. However there is a difference of opinion on the levels of GHG emission cut, keeping in view economic development. China's GHG emission is five times that of India.”

India and China have already announced their National Action Plans on Climate Change to achieve a sustainable path for development which provides, inter alia, for international cooperation for research, development, sharing and transfer of technologies in relation to climate change.

Zhenhua said : “ Developed nations' emission has impacted the whole world. Developing countries face the challenge of addressing the dual issue of poverty alleviation and protection of environment. We agree to a partnership with India for addressing climate change. The way to Copenhagen may not be easy. Therefore, we need to gear up.”

Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh is slated to meet his Chinese counterpart at the ASEAN Summit slated from October 24 in Bangkok. The Chinese foreign minister is expected to visit Bangalore within a few days. These events are likely iron out some of the differences between the two countries on many outstanding issues. Ramesh said that he would be meeting Zhenhua two times - in Beijing and Barcelona before Copenhagen climate submit

India-China agreement on addressing climate change emphasized the need to intensify cooperation in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, sustainable agriculture and afforestation, transportation, sustainable habitat, methane recovery and utilization, clean coal technology. Both sides agreed to annual ministerial meetings to review the progress of cooperation followed by regular joint working group meetings of scientists, economists.

India-China cooperation on addressing climate change encompasses also the area of adaptation like evaluation of adverse impact of climate change, adaptation related policies, measures and technologies and also capacity building activities.

Clarifying India's position on climate change negotiation, Ramesh in an official note said : “while India is prepared to discuss and make public periodically the implementation of its National Action Plan on climate change, India will never accept internationally legally binding emission reduction targets or commitments as part of any agreement or deal or outcome. Inida will never accept any dilution or renegotiation of the provisions and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In particular. we will never agree to the elimination of the distinction between developed (“Annex I”) countries and developing (“non-Annex I”) countries as far as internationally legally binding emission reduction obligations are concerned. Internationally legally binding emission reduction targets are for developed countries and developed countries alone, as globally agree under the Bail Action Plan.”

India will agree to consider international measurement, reporting and verification (“MRV”) of its mitigation actions only when such actions are enabled and supported by international finance and technology.

India, like other developing countries, fully expects developed countries to fulfill their obligations on transfer of technology and financial transfer that they committed to under the UNFCCC and the Bali Action for both mitigation and adaptation actions.

According to Ramesh India is prepared work closely with China and G-77 at climate change negotiations. However, there is a possibility of some flexibility in India's stance, keeping the above non-negotiable firmly intact and keeping India irrevocably anchored in the UNFCCC of 1992 and the Bali Action Plan of 2007.#