India seeks concerted efforts to tackle climate change

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) India today called for concerted efforts to deal with the issue of climate change, an important future challenge that would confront Asia and the world at large.

Addressing the tenth Asian Security Conference here, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the climate change was a result of accumulated and continuing emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

''Weak and fragile states are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of climate change, which is truly a global problem and requires global solutions'' he added.

Mr Mukherjee said developing countries such as India cannot be expected to unilaterally forego the economic aspirations of their people.

Advanced economies indeed have a greater obligation to cut down on emissions by encouraging more sustainable patterns of consumption, he added.

''We need to devote greater efforts to generate alternate technologies and industrial processes that are environment- friendly and these technologies must be provided at an affordable cost. The key principle is common but differentiated responsibility,'' the Minister said.

The three-day conference -- Asian Security in 2ist Century -- is being organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) here.

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