Barack Obama calls Modi, pushes strong climate change pact

As major divides remained in the negotiations to hammer out an international climate pact, US President Barack Obama had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which they emphasised their “personal commitment” to secure a “strong” agreement.

The call from Mr Obama came even as US secretary of state John Kerry on Tuesday held a “positive and constructive” meeting with environment minister Prakash Javadekar at the ongoing climate change conference in Paris on various bilateral efforts made to reach a deal for limiting global warming. India is pushing for an “ambitious and just” agreement.

“Both leaders emphasised their personal commitment to secure a strong climate change agreement this week and their interest in our countries’ working together to achieve a successful outcome,” the White House said in a readout of the phone call .

An official release issued in Delhi said they underscored their strong commitment to address issues related to climate change through constructive engagement, without impeding the progress of developing countries. They agreed to stay in regular touch.

As negotiators raced against time to clinch a key accord at the climate talks that has been marked by a divide between developed and developing countries, Mr Obama telephoned Mr Modi to discuss the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP21) in the French capital. The conference is due to end on Friday.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters in Washington that the US President is closely following the developments in Paris where more than 180 countries are trying to thrash a deal on climate change.

“I can tell you that earlier today, the (US) President placed a telephone call to Prime Minister Modi of India to discuss the ongoing negotiations,” he said.

“I would anticipate that over the course of this week as the negotiations continue, the President would be in touch with other world leaders,” he said, adding that Obama is getting regular updates from his team in Paris about the status of the negotiations.

In Paris last week, Obama had met Modi on the sidelines of the climate change summit. He had also met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.