Indian PM: Burden sharing must consider historical emissions

BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said historical pollution emission levels should be taken into account in burden sharing for the international community here on Tuesday.

"The environment is humanity's common heritage. The rights of our people to a fair chance to improve their lot cannot be abandoned because of environmental damage caused by others who followed a path which has squandered the earth's resources," Singh said addressing the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"Burden sharing has to be fair and must take into account historical emissions." he added.

Singh was in China for a three-day visit beginning Sunday. It was his first visit since taking office in 2004.

"The recently concluded Bali conference has provided a framework for future cooperation on this basis. India and China should continue to work together to strengthen international cooperation on this basis," said Singh.

He also said the rapid growth of India and China will lead to expanding demand for energy and believed the two countries can do much more to jointly develop clean and energy efficient technologies through collaborative research and development.

"India seeks international cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy, including cooperation with China," said Singh.