US wants India to assume leading role on climate change

Ahead of the Copenhagen summit next month, the US today said India should take a leadership role on the issue of climate change and indicated it wanted the country to cut carbon emissions.

US undersecretary of state for democracy and global affairs Maria Otero, who is here on a short visit, said that her country wanted greater strategic cooperation with India on global issues of human rights, environment, health and disaster management.

These issues, Otero said, would be part of discussions between US president Barack Obama and prime minister Manmohan Singh when they meet in Washington later this month.

"The answer is yes. India's emission is 4% and we hope in the future there is some level of reduction. Every country needs to assume responsibility, as we see the threat of climate change," she said, replying to a question if US wanted India to bring down its carbon emission levels.

The US wants all countries to reduce their carbon emissions before the climate summit in the Danish capital.

"The perspective of India on climate change, we already see, can have adverse consequences of droughts, heavy rainfall, and even flooding. It is clear, in India's strong benefit, to take into account some of these conditions," she told reporters here.

Noting that the US wanting reduction in carbon emission was "really in a global context," Otero said that India was a country with important leadership in the region and the world, and America saw its partnerships with the country from that perspective.

"The position India takes on these global issues is also one that can be important for other countries in the region and around the world such as Brazil and Mexico," she said.

On climate change, India says it will not compromise on development while fighting global warming, and that developed nations must do their bit first to keep emission levels down, within sustainable and equitable levels.

Asked about India's position on the issue, Otero said the Indian leaders were paying considerable attention on what was best for the country as a world leader.

"The important consideration is not just the Copenhagen meet, but how to address climate change beyond that," she added.

She said the US had set its own emission cut targets for 2020 and 2050, and that it wanted to achieve at Copenhagen what it has set for itself for the future.

Otero, who was here to attend the annual US-India Gobal Issues Forum held yesterday, said prime minister Singh's visit to Washington later this month was to "deepen and strengthen" the bilateral relations and it incorporated talks on issues such as health, food security, poverty and climate change.

"Closer cooperation between US and India is reflected by the visit to address these global, transnational issues...to engage and look for possible ways we can join forces and enhance the work that India is doing in these areas," she added.