PM decides to attend Copenhagen Summit

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) Prime Minister of India Manmohan
Singh Saturday decided to attend the Copenhagen Summit on
climate change on December 18, reflecting the importance
attached by India to the meet where it is expected to play a
crucial role.

Singh will undertake a two-day visit to Copenhagen from
December 17 to attend the Summit, the Prime Minister's Office
said.
The Prime Minister's decision to attend the Summit comes
against the backdrop of world leaders, including US President
Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, pressing
him to be there considering India's role on the issue.
Around 80 Presidents and Prime Ministers are expected to
attend the Summit on December 17-18.
Earlier, India had decided that it will be represented
by Environment Minister of India Jairam Ramesh at the
conference.
Obama, during his meeting with Singh in Washington last
week, had suggested to the Prime Minister that he should
attend the Climate Summit. Obama will be there on December 18.
Subsequently, when Sarkozy met Singh in Port of Spain, he
also requested him to join him at Copenhagen.
The French President later told a press conference, "If
India is to be heard, it needs to be present (at Copenhagen)",
apparently referring to the need for Singh's presence.
Pressing for urgent action to tackle global warming,
India wants "substantive legally-binding" outcome from
Copenhagen conference which begins on Monday with meeting of
negotiators and will have high-level segment from December 16.
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