India contradicts US claim over signing Paris climate deal this year

 “We agreed to join as soon as possible and that is what is reflected in the joint statement as well,” the sources said, indicating that India had not yet fixed a deadline to sign the pact.

After PM Narendra Modi’s talks with President Barack Obama here, the US had said that India would try to sign the landmark accord to limit greenhouse gases this year itself. The accord will become binding when at least 55 countries, representing 55 per cent of global emissions, formally join.

 India’s signature is crucial as it will guarantee that the pact will go into effect before the next US President takes over in January, with Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump threatening to re-negotiate it.

Meanwhile, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the steps taken by India and the US to join the Paris Climate agreement, saying that he is encouraged by the resolve of the two countries to pursue low greenhouse gas emission development strategies.

 “The Secretary General welcomes the steps being undertaken by both countries to join the Paris Agreement as soon as possible, including in 2016, and their collaborative efforts to address climate change,” a statement issued by Moon’s spokesman said.