Even though the Copenhagen Accord is not legally binding, the United States would not only review its implementation by India and China, but also would challenge them if they do not meet the goals set by the agreement. India has rejected this statement by saying that accord did not compromise on the sovereignty of the nation, rather, it enhanced the country's interest. This shows that the confrontation between developing nations and the developed ones are very intense.

The climate summit at Copenhagen is far from being a democratic exercise. But the struggle to prevent the terrible consequences of climate change must continue. The deal done between President Obama and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, along with India, Brazil and South Africa - tells us a lot about how diplomacy will happen in future. New players are coming into the stage, Russia was absent, The EU was nowhere and the rest had to go along. The future of the planet hinges on the balance of power based on new equation.  Political and legally binding commitments should match with scientific truth about climate change in future.

A difficult period lies ahead as governments have to sign up to making cuts and everyone will be watching to see who does something and who does nothing. Perhaps there was just too much to bite off. It is often the case of international diplomacy that tackling problems salami-style is more effective than trying to digest them all at once. It is true that mega-conferences are very difficult to handle because of the wide diversity of opinion and interest. So many countries were trying to negotiate at too late a stage at Copenhagen and found it very difficult to compromise or commit.

Instead of MRV -measurable, reportable and verifiable - the BASIC nations agreed to allow a provision for "international consultation and analysis" on the mitigation actions. Some countries observe that there is major shift in policy decisions and in this accord, the sovereignty of nations are compromised. Some people think that international consultation and analysis of our mitigation actions is reframing of measures for reporting and verification. Intellectual Property Rights regime on transfer technology was effectively negated in the accord and financial commitment is not clear.

There are indeed many risks, many hazards and many threats when developing countries negotiate with mighty rich nations. Developing countries have to be extraordinarily vigilant and watchful, negotiating tough, but always from position of strength. China and India to some extent have some power to talk from their position of strength to the rich nations headed by mighty United States. UN looks very helpless before US and sometimes works under the direction of US.  

After the disintegration of the USSR, US becomes the unipolar power of the world and is trying to dictate terms. Though China is the first growing super power economically and militarily, but it is still lagging behind compared to US.  Undoubtedly, many developed countries want to see an end to the Kyoto Protocol, but so far, developed countries thwart these attempts for the time being.

Kyoto Protocol wants to punish US and EU for emitting carbon gas for two centuries and in the process became rich nations at the cost of poor countries. But they are not ready to finance and transfer technology to poor nations for mitigation and adaptation programme, nor are they ready for deep emissions cuts. If they follow the Kyoto Protocol, then in the long run, some first growing developing countries will surpass the rich nations and there will a major shift in global power.

However, every country should try unilaterally to draw a road map for low-carbon growth to save the planet from emissions. India has committed itself to cutting its carbon emission intensity by 20-25 per cent by 2020 levels. China who is the No.1 emitter of carbon at present, is trying hard to cut its carbon emission by 40 to 50 per cent.

China has negotiated its domestic action at Copenhagen summit. The BASIC group have emerged a powerful force to face US in their negotiations and their unity was instrumental in ensuring that the Copenhagen Accord was finalised, though, US still holds the upper hand. Environment ministers of the BASIC countries are meeting in March, 2010 in New Delhi to discuss the approach to be taken at the June 2010 Ministerial Conference in Bonn and the 16th meeting of the conference of the parties in Mexico City in December.