India, China cooperated to torpedo climate deal
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Worked to stymie binding deal: Indian PM Manmohan Singh in Copenhagen (Reuters: Bob Strong)
India has confirmed it worked with China and other emerging nations to ensure there were no legally binding targets from the Copenhagen climate talks.
Facing parliament for the first time since the UN talks last weekend in the Danish capital, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said India had "come out quite well in Copenhagen".
He listed what he said were a series of accomplishments, including the thwarting of moves to impose binding targets for global reductions in carbon emissions - something India has always rejected.
"We can be satisfied that we were able to get our way on this issue," declared Mr Ramesh, who has consistently said India would be one of the countries hardest hit by climate change.
He said India, China, South Africa and Brazil had emerged as a powerful force and said the group had protected its right to continued economic growth.
Mr Ramesh said India would continue to work with its allies "to ensure that the interests of developing countries and India in particular are protected in the course of negotiations in 2010 and beyond".
He was critical of Denmark's role as host country.
"From day one, an impression gained ground that a cabal was going to dictate the terms as far as the Copenhagen meeting was concerned," he said.
British Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has accused China of hijacking the climate talks.
The Chinese government has denied playing a negative role.
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