No shift, only nuancing, says Ramesh

CANCUN: Even as political parties in India criticised Jairam Ramesh for caving in to pressure from developed countries, particularly the US, at Cancun, the minister admitted that the government has nuanced the country’s position on not accepting internationally binding norms on emission cuts.

He said that all countries must take binding commitments to an appropriate legal form so that India is not isolated.

“There is no shift in the position, only nuancing,” he said, pointing out that India was trying to find room for "maneuver" due to increasing pressure from developing nations. “We are expanding our options,” he said.

The minister came under attack from opposition parties and NGOs in India for taking unilateral stand, deviating from long held Indian position that it will not accept any internationally legally binding emission cuts.

“All I said was that all countries must take binding commitments to appropriate legal form. This does not mean that India is accepting legally binding agreement at this stage. That's our position,” Ramesh said.

“Negotiations is all about flexibility, negotiations is all about seeing what is happening and responding creatively. I think frankly, I have not changed the goal post, I have nuanced our position. Our positions remain same and let me say we will not accept a legally binding agreement at this stage,” he told reporters.