New Delhi, October 21
Amidst tension over political issues, India and China on Wednesday signed an agreement to cooperate on ways to fight climate change.

Moving closer, at least on an issue concerning the entire world, the two neighbours announced setting up of a Joint Working Group (JWG) to exchange views concerning international negotiations on global warming. The memorandum of agreement (MoA), signed by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and vice-chairman, Minister, National Development and Reform Commission, China, XIE Zhenhua, assumes significance in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate summit. Developed and developing countries are at loggerheads over who should reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that are causing climate change.

India and China are in the same bloc as the Group of 77 countries in climate negotiations. Ramesh’s statement that there was no difference between Indian and Chinese negotiating positions on international climate treaties set at rest recent speculation that India wanted to move out of the G-77 grouping. “There is no difference between Indian and Chinese position (on climate change)...that fully protects and promotes interests of developing nations,” Ramesh said, adding that he would hold more discussions with Xie to see what India and China should do to ensure successful outcome at Copenhagen that protects environment and promotes interests of developing nations.

Agreeing with Ramesh, Xie said: “We regard India as a sincere, devoted friend and the agreement on climate change will take our cooperation on the issue to the next level.”

The MOA acknowledges that climate change and its adverse effects are a common concern of mankind and need to be addressed through international co-operation. It emphasises that the UNFCC and its Kyoto Protocol were the most appropriate framework for addressing climate change.

The agreement reaffirms the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, in particular that developed countries should take the lead in reducing their greenhouse gases and providing financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries.

Under the five-year pact, the two countries will set up the JWG, which would exchange views on issues concerning international negotiations on climate change.