CPM says ratification of Paris pact not in India’s interest

NEW DELHI: CPM has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that India would ratify the

Paris Agreement

on climate change. The party said such a

ratification

would be both “surprising and violative of the assurance that this BJP government had given to Parliament.”

The decision to sign the agreement, CPM said, is a “clear indication that India is becoming a suppliant of US global strategic interests and has committed this volte face surrendering to US pressure, bartering away India's much needed energy requirements.”

In a statement CPM politburo said ratification “is not in the interests of India and its commitment to eradicate poverty and provide the required energy for improving the livelihood of the vast majority of our people.”

“The Modi government must subject this decision of ratification of the Paris Agreement to a parliamentary discussion and approval”, the party said. CPM said government stated it will not violate the ‘red lines’ drawn up by Parliament during the detailed discussion following the Copenhagen Summit.”

CPM also reminded the government that in June after the Obama-Modi meeting, Indian foreign secretary informed the media that the process of examining India's national laws was underway and until that is completed there is no question of ratifying this agreement. Recently, even Niti Aayog head had said that India is not yet ready in terms of domestic actions and hence could not ratify this agreement immediately.

CPM also pointed out that at the recent G20 Summit India had turned down the suggestion that it shall ratify the Paris Agreement. “It must be noted that the European Union and many other developed nations who are much bigger source of carbon emissions than India have not yet ratified this agreement,” the party said. CPM said at the Seoul NSG meeting India had linked its membership in the nuclear suppliers group with the ratification of the Paris Agreement.