NEW DELHI: India blocked an attempt to snatch the climate change discussions away from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to the UN Security Council (UNSC). But, it also played a bridging role, supporting the small island states to voice their concerns about climate vulnerability at the UNSC meeting held on July 20.

Germany, which has taken over the presidency of the UNSC, sought a discussion on climate change and security. It also attempted to get a Presidential statement passed, suggesting that the UNSC could play a more pro-active role in climate change talks.

Though China and Russia initially opposed the move, they later fell in line. But, like India, both these nations opposed the bid to reduce the role of UNFCCC in climate talks.

Sources in the Indian mission at the UN in New York told TOI that while the concerns of the small island states - countries that are most threatened by climate change - is valid, India is opposed to the talks being brought under the ambit of the UNSC, where the power equations don't necessarily favour developing countries.

In the UNFCC, all the 195 countries have a vote each, and decisions are taken by consensus. Keeping this clause in mind, India objected to the proposal.

"While the Security Council can debate the issue and may recognize vulnerabilities and threats induced by climate change, it does not have the wherewithal to address the situation. We, therefore, have some difficulty in accepting the assertion made that the effects of climate change go beyond the mandate of the UNFCCC," said Hardeep Singh Puri, India's permanent representative at the UN.

Suggesting that the instruments to deal with climate change - like reducing emissions and adapting to inevitable climate change - lay in the domain of the UN climate convention, Puri said, "Action must, therefore, be with the UNFCCC."

But, he also acknowledged the concerns of the small island countries. "Climate change is a challenge that lies at the forefront of the global development agenda, and is close to the heart of small island states for whom it poses an existential threat," he added.

This is not the first time the attempt has been made to 'securitize' the climate debate and incorporate it in the UNSC, where developed economies have a distinct advantage.

The role of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon too had earlier been assailed by some developing countries for favouring the developed nations.

Earlier, the emerging economies had expressed their apprehension about European nations taking advantage of the small countries' concerns to break the delicate alliance of developing countries, which are grouped under the umbrella of G77 and China.

India and other developing countries have been wary of attempts by the developed countries to stub the mandate of the UN climate convention, where G77and China grouping and now the four BASIC countries are on a strong footing.