India opens conference on climate change

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India is using a conference on global warming in New Delhi to emphasize that climate change negotiations coming up in Copenhagen should stick to the mandate agreed to at the Bali conference last year.

The New Delhi conference is organized jointly by India and the UN Department on Economic and Social Affairs with a focus on technology development and transfer.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opened the conference saying developing countries would not compromise on their growth rates to reach a deal. He says technology and its diffusion is a key element in meeting the challenge of climate change.

Endorsing India's stand, Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed says the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities is the only way to strike a fair deal at Copenhagen. He says industrialized nations need to make dramatic changes to their emission levels.

U.N. Undersecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Sha Zukang, back to camera, talks to Indian Prime Minister  Manmohan Singh, right, as Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed,  left, and Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, second  from left, look on at an international conference on technology  and climate change in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.  Singh said the world's poor nations will not sacrifice their  development to achieve a new climate change agreement. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)