Bloomberg quoted Mr Jairam Ramesh environment minister of India as saying that the country won't accept legally binding carbon dioxide emission cuts and suggested a comprehensive global treaty to limit greenhouse gases may need to wait until the middle of next year.

He added that "We are not obligated to take on legally binding emission reduction targets. That is not on the table as far as India is concerned."

Mr Ramesh said trust between rich and developing nations has broken down” at recent negotiations in Bangkok. He urged countries to sign a limited deal in Copenhagen that would focus on financing from rich countries to those affected by global warming, on forestry and on transfers of technology.

He added that "Then we can come back to Copenhagen in the summer of 2010 to clinch the larger agreement. We have to be realistic and pragmatic. Let not the perfect become the enemy of the good."

Mr Ramesh said that rich nations should sign up for carbon reduction targets while developing countries should offer nationally accountable mitigation outcomes, which he described as domestic legislation mandating fuel efficiency standards, stricter building codes and clean coal technology. He added that "If all countries are treated alike the proposal is dead and except for Norway and Japan rich countries haven’t offered enough carbon reductions."

(Sourced from www.bloomberg.net)