Similarly, having polluted the atmosphere with carbon dioxide during the period of their own industrial “progress”, the West is now keen to pass the buck to the developing countries in the matter of saving the planet by reducing their own industrial objectives. Notwithstanding the blatant unfairness of the suggestion, the less developed countries have, in part, accepted it on the condition that the West will share the fruits of its technology with them as well as provide funds if it is wants the developing world to observe “restraint”.

Predictably, the West has been dragging its feet on the subject, used as it has long been to having its way because of its industrial clout. But, the end of the imperial era and the rise of India, China and other previously undeveloped countries have made the task difficult for the West. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly obvious that there is no time to waste since the effects of global warming can be seen in the melting of polar ice caps. Some of these issues will be discussed at the next meeting in Warsaw in November, where a new compact on climate change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate will have to be signed. India’s task is cut out for the meeting. It has to strongly resist any attempt to dilute the provision of technology and financial help favoured by the West, which wants the emphasis to be more on setting targets for the emission of greenhouse gases.