Krishna, Chinese FM discuss post-Copenhagen steps

NEW DELHI: Following up on the Copenhagen climate meet, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Tuesday called up External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and discussed the next steps in meeting the global challenge.

The two Ministers discussed India-China cooperation on climate change, including possible follow-on measures flowing from the recent Copenhagen Summit.

During the conversation, Krishna noted that India and China had worked closely and effectively together at Copenhagen thereby safeguarding the interests of developing countries.

He stressed the need for the developing world, including India and China, to evaluate the results of the Copenhagen Conference and then decide on a strategy for post-Copenhagen process, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

During the Copenhagen meet last week, India and China had worked jointly, along with Brazil and South Africa, to work for protecting interests of developing countries in the face of tremendous pressure from the developed world led by the US.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao as also Brazilian President Lula da Silva and South African President Jacob Zuma spearheaded the cause of developing world and ensured rich countries did not push any agreement that would come at the cost of progress in emerging economies.

During their telephonic talk, Krishna and Wen noted that India and China would be marking the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.

Yang reiterated an invitation to Krishna to visit China in the first half of next year, which the latter accepted.

Mutually convenient dates for the visit will be fixed through diplomatic channels, the MEA said.