Toughening its stand on climate change, India along with China and two other countries briefly walked out of negotiations, apparently unhappy over developed nations reneging on their commitments under the Kyoto protocol to undertake emission cuts.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who is leading the Indian delegation, along with his counterparts from China, Brazil and South Africa walked out of the negotiations to meet Connie Hedegaard, the Danish President of the COP, and convey their protest.

All formal meetings at the Summit here were put on hold following the development.

Though there was no official word on what led the leaders to stage a walkout from the ministerial-level talks, sources said the development followed a disagreement between the developing countries and the developed nations on the second commitment period after 2012.

It is understood that the four countries also protested that enough focus was not being given to the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol that puts obligations on developed nations to undertake emission cuts.

After a 35-minute meeting with Hedegaard, the ministers emerged out, with Ramesh indicating that the issue had been resolved.

Asked if the issue had been resolved, Ramesh said: "I think so...I am heading to the plenary now".