Japan's refusal to commit to a second period of commitment to the Kyoto Protocol calls into question the very existence of the Protocol, ironically named after a city in that country.
Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh met his Japanese counterpart on Wednesday and was categorically informed that there was no question of a second commitment under the Kyoto Protocol for Japan.
This was not a negotiating tactic at all, it was confirmed and it was a decision taken by the Japanese Prime Minister.
Mr. Ramesh said Japan's decision was regrettable but understandable. India and Japan will continue to have good bilateral relations.
The Japanese Minister hoped India would understand Japan's compulsions in taking this hard decision.
