India is firm on sustainable development in emerging economies

New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) Staying firm on its position, India has reiterated that global debate on climate change should harmonise equitably the imperatives of sustainable development in the emerging economies.

''The terms of the debate and the idioms of the dialogue should not be such as to unjustifiably transfer the major burden of sustainable development on developing countries'', Minister of State for Industries Ashwani Kumar told former US vice president Al Gore during an interface on the margins of the UBS CEO's Summit in Florence (Italy) yesterday.

The five-day Summit concludes tomorrow.

While agreeing on the urgency of addressing critical issues related to climate change, the Indian minister, however, stressed on the need to harmonise equitably the imperatives of sustainable development in the emerging economies.

An official statement released here today said Mr Al Gore agreed with Mr Ashwani Kumar and also expressed his willingness to visit India to engage with all stakeholders on the various issues and challenges related to climate change and sustainable development, particularly taking into consideration the situation in India.

Mr Ashwani Kumar is scheduled to address the Summit on ''Rapid Emergence of China and India as Global Economic Powers and their impact on the Developed World.'' Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Unitech Managing Director Sanjay Chandra, Director Dr Fu Yuning&President, China Merchants Group, Eddie Wang, President, China Minsheng Banking Corporation are among the prominent participants in the Summit, the statement said.

The Indian Minister also met Zhang Zhiang, former vice minister of Commerce of China, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat and Mr Peter A Wuffli, Group CEO of UBS AG, the statement added.

UNI