Washington, Thursday 17 December 2009: Regretting the absence of an agreed text just a day ahead of the Summit level talks at the climate change meet here, India has said the entire process of negotiations have been “very badly handled” but made it clear that the developing countries were not to be blamed for it.

“Unfortunately, I feel that this entire conference, the entire process has been very, very badly handled,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said after India met other BASIC countries — Brazil, South Africa and China — for almost three hours last night to discuss the plan of action as very little work could be done on the two texts that parties have actually been working on for more than a week.

The developing countries fear that the mysterious draft prepared by Denmark would be sprung upon hours before the high-level segment of climate talks begins, making it difficult for any world leader to oppose.

“India, China, South Africa and Brazil, the four BASIC countries, are working very closely together and if the talks fail, it would be because the process managed by Denmark would have failed,” Ramesh said.
“If the talks fail, it would be because the developed countries have not fulfilled their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

The developing countries led by India, China, Brazil, South Africa, the African group and the G-77 have worked very hard to bring the negotiations back on track. The blame should not be laid on our doorstep,” the Minister said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be leading the Indian delegation at the Summit level talks scheduled for tomorrow.