It is learnt that the Indian delegation explained to their US counterparts that if no document is finalised, Obama might be embarrassed at Thursday’s meeting. Besides, the US — and other major economies — is in no position to offer more commitments due to constraints imposed by the recession. The Chinese opposition also illustrated that the US and China are not as close yet to a deal on climate change as is being speculated.

Finally, it was agreed that the declaration would be a political statement enunciating a general commitment to climate change. India went the whole distance to explain that the commitment to climate change cannot be given up. Late last evening, a document was agreed to for consideration of the leaders tomorrow.