US wants India to assume leading role on climate change

Ahead of the Copenhagen summit next month, the US today said India should take a leadership role on the issue of climate change and indicated it wanted the country to cut carbon emissions.

Ahead of the Copenhagen summit next month, the US today said India should take a leadership role on the issue of climate change and indicated it wanted the country to cut carbon emissions.

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US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, who is here on a short visit, said that her country wanted greater strategic cooperation with India on global issues of human rights, environment, health and disaster management.

These issues, Otero said, would be part of discussions between US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when they meet in Washington later this month.

"The answer is yes. India's emission is 4 per cent and we hope in the future there is some level of reduction. Every country needs to assume responsibility, as we see the threat of climate change," she said, replying to a question if US wanted India to bring down its carbon emission levels.

The US wants all countries to reduce their carbon emissions before the climate summit in the Danish capital.

"The perspective of India on climate change, we already see, can have adverse consequences of droughts, heavy rainfall, and even flooding. It is clear, in India's strong benefit, to take into account some of these conditions," she told reporters here.