Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 4: Developed countries that are historically responsible for greenhouse gas emissions and have contributed overwhelmingly to the climate change crisis must take the lead in reducing emissions and support developing nations with finance and technology, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.

Addressing a media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was responding to questions on remarks by Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal regarding a diplomatic shift towards seeking justice and compensation from major industrial emitters following the devastating floods in Nepal.

The floods have so far resulted in 1,294 confirmed deaths, while 5,053 people remained unaccounted for as of Friday evening.

Jaiswal said India had extended its solidarity and support to Nepal following the tragedy and had responded promptly as a close friend and partner.

“In the wake of this tragedy, we have extended our solidarity and support to the government and people of Nepal. As a close friend and partner, India responded promptly, and we continue to support rescue, relief, reconstruction and recovery efforts in the country,” he said.

India has consistently maintained that climate change is a common challenge and that action must be based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, Jaiswal said.

“Developed countries, who historically are responsible for the emissions and have contributed overwhelmingly to this present crisis, must take the lead in reducing emissions and support developing countries by way of finance and technology transfer to meet this challenge,” he added.

India continues support to Nepal

Jaiswal also noted that Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah had thanked India for its support.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to Shah following the disaster and conveyed that India stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Nepal during the crisis.

“We have seen that the Prime Minister of Nepal has thanked us for our support. As you would have seen, the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), when this tragedy struck, he spoke to the Prime Minister of Nepal and conveyed that India stands shoulder to shoulder and extends all its support to Nepal in this time of crisis and it will offer whatever help is required,” Jaiswal said.

“We are happy that we are able to help and give a helping hand to our friends and partners and to our people of Nepal,” he added.

Earlier this week, Khanal said Nepal was shifting its diplomatic framework from “aid” to “justice and compensation”, stressing that the issue was not one of charity, according to local media reports from Kathmandu.