At Paris climate conference, Obama says US 'welcomes India's leadership on climate change'

Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India will fulfil all its responsibilities with regard to climate change as he met US President Barack Obama and discussed the climate agenda along with ways to deepen bilateral strategic ties. Modi, in his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the climate summit, also appreciated the openness with which the US President addresses issues with him and said it will help in developing a better understanding. “India will fulfil expectations from it and its responsibilities…the country is working to take forward development and (protecting) environment together,” Modi said at a joint press event with Obama. [caption id=“attachment_2527854” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  US President Barack Obama (R) talks with PM Narendra Modi at the UN conference on climate change COP21. AFP[/caption] The prime minister also mentioned India’s ambitious target of producing 175 GW of renewable energy. The prime minister’s comments came against the backdrop of India’s strong resentment for US Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement that India would be a “challenge” at the climate conference. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar described the comments as “unwarranted”. Javadekar and Kerry accompanied Modi and Obama respectively along with other senior ministers and officials. Modi also talked about the solar alliance initiative, saying it will help in fulfilling the dreams which have brought the countries together at Paris. Ahead of his talks with Obama, Modi had said that there was an urgent need to craft a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement to limit global warming. President Obama said India must curb its carbon dioxide pollution even while it works to eradicate poverty, prioritise growth and promote economic development. He also said climate change was one of the major areas for deeper cooperation between the US and India. President Obama emphasised that it was a pleasure to meet his “friend and partner”. “We agree that (climate change) is an urgent threat. We welcome India’s leadership on this issue,” Obama said in his remarks ahead of the meeting. While he said the Paris meeting should protect the possibility of countries like India to pursue their fight against poverty, the US President also clearly stated that serious climate commitments from all parties were absolutely necessary. The agreement “has to reflect serious and ambitious actions by all countries”, he insisted. “In addition to the climate agenda, the two leaders (Obama and Modi) discussed additional steps to deepen their countries’ strategic partnership on bilateral, regional, and global issues,” a statement released by the White House on the bilateral meeting said. Obama said, “During my visit to India earlier this year, we committed ourselves to a new, deeper partnership between our nations. And our work here in Paris together represents one of the greatest areas for deeper cooperation — and that’s on the issue of climate change.” “We agree that it’s an urgent threat. The prime minister has shown in the work even before he was prime minister, at the state level, his interest in new technologies and clean energy. We welcome India’s leadership and Prime Minister Modi’s leadership on this issue,” he said. Obama said Paris is a chance to put in place a lasting framework to address climate at an international level. “I want to emphasise that we agree that Paris must recognise and protect the ability of countries like India to pursue the priorities of development, growth, and poverty eradication… At the same time, it also has to reflect serious and ambitious action by all nations to curb their carbon pollution,” he said. Both Modi and Obama met as part of Mission Innovation which was announced by the US earlier. “And I am proud that after our meeting here we’re going to be attending what we’re calling Mission Innovation, which is a groundbreaking new public-private initiative that will accelerate the pace at which we can develop and deploy clean energy that’s affordable to populations around the world,” he said. Obama also lauded the new International Solar Alliance launched jointly by Modi and French President Francois Hollande, saying the initiative is going to “advance the cause not only in India but around the world of accelerating the adaptation of solar energy, which is going to be so important to our clean energy future.” After his meeting with Obama, Modi said, “India is the first country in the world, protecting the earth and protecting the environment, Mahatma Gandhi was its champion. So for India it’s a very important thing. We have kept very big targets.” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted, “An opportunity for engagement. The leaders of the two largest democracies exchange views on sidelines of #COP21”, along with a picture of the bilateral meeting. It is an initiative to dramatically accelerate public and private global clean energy innovation to address global climate change, provide affordable clean energy to consumers, including in the developing world, and create additional commercial opportunities in clean energy. Modi, who is here on a two-day visit, attended a special lunch hosted by French President Francois Hollande. He held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “Whether Kuala Lumpur or Paris, Tokyo or New York always time for good friend PM @AbeShinzo,” Swarup tweeted after the Modi-Abe meeting. Modi also met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and a host of other world leaders. The two leaders agreed that the Paris agreement must drive serious and ambitious action by all nations to curb carbon pollution, while at the same time protecting the ability of countries such as India to pursue their priorities of development, growth, and poverty eradication. Additionally, Obama welcomed Modi’s initiatives to increase renewable energy deployment in India. Earlier, Modi gave a six-minute speech, emphasising how vital innovation was and why the Paris climate summit was special. “We need results and innovation to make energy cheaper and to translate that to the future generations. This is a global responsibility,” he said. Modi also offered to create an “international network with 40 universities working on energy.” “We must restore the balance between economy and ecology,” he said. PTI