India to press for free tech flow at Paris meet

India would press for technology flow without the licensing fee and a change in lifestyle of citizens of rich nations at the upcoming Paris climate meet in order to stake claim to a larger share of the global carbon space for its developmental needs.

While core issues like “common but differentiated responsibility”, “historical responsibility” and “equity” would be factored in, India’s strategy would be to underscore the need for a changed lifestyle for arresting the growth of green house gas emission that causes global warming.

Access to green technologies like clean coal, robust solar cells, electric bus and efficient batteries without the licensing fee would be another key demand from the Indian side, so that clean energy technologies come cheaper and faster.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday was briefed by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and negotiators on India’s position at the Paris climate summit where Modi, along with other world leaders would seek political support for a new global emission cut treaty.

Behind the curtain, fault lines have surfaced between rich nations and the developing world, as was seen from US Secretary of State John Kerry’s sudden and unprovoked statement that India would be a “challenge” in Paris.

“Kerry’s comment came out of the blue. It is unfair, untrue and uncalled for. India is never a blocking country. We expect Paris to produce equitable and just climate,” Union minister Prakash Javadekar said here on Wednesday.

New Delhi accused Washington of making an effort to create a rift within the G77 block by announcing a grant of $14 billion for the Africa group. “Whether it is new, additional predictable finance nobody bothers. It is just the $14 billion that matters,” sources said.

Indian negotiators admitted that while countries like France were willing to talk on lifestyle change, a convergence on this highly contentious issue would be a tall order, given the lifestyle of citizens in the US and Europe.