Clinton’s visit renews focus on environmental issue

The recent round of India-US talks this week, initiated by the visit of US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, reached a few significant decisions on climate and environment.
The two nations have agreed on improved technological cooperation, especially on clean technology.
“It is possible that like-minded countries (would) join the cooperation later,” a government official said on condition of anonymity.
In a forum of major economies, a grouping of 17 countries formed to deal with climate change, India and other countries are negotiating the possibility of a similar cooperation on technology.
The India-US discussions also narrowed down on possibilities of India taking notes from the US’ regime of environmental governance and using these guidelines to tighten the country’s environmental regime.
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh had earlier said the government is keen on setting up an authority to ensure monitoring of pollution regulations, which will be on the lines of the US’ Environmental Protection Agency.
The countries also agreed on beginning a second track of discussions on climate change, which would include non-governmental organizations and businesses.
A business-to-business exchange is slated for this November between US and India on energy efficiency.
Todd Stern, US’ special envoy on climate change, also met a coalition of NGOs on Tuesday.