Days of Indian silence on the issue of refrigerants hydrochlorocarbons (HFCs) was broken by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday at the Montreal Protocol talks.

Javadekar, who is the first Indian minister to attend the Montreal Protocol over the last few years, reiterated India's demands for technology transfer without patent restriction, financial assistance, and allowing developing countries, including India, more time for phasing down HFCs.

"There are no specific offers of technology transfer, technology demonstration and technology cooperation. IPR, patents, confidentiality are still the arguments being used by the (developed) countries. What is the use of those confidentiality and IPR issues if all of are facing the impacts of global warming," Javadekar asked at the High Level Segment of the10th Joint Meeting of the Parties to the Vienna Convention and the 26th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

The statement from the Minister comes in the wake of the Indian delegation, led by A. Duraisamy, Director, Ozone Cell, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), had maintained silence on the issue of negotiating HFC phase down under the Montreal Protocol. India has been opposing any discussion on the matter for over six years, but has now indicated that it would be open to talking over it.

Clarifying India's now-changed stance, one of cooperation on discussion HFCs and HCFCs phase-out at the Montreal Protocol, the Minister, once again, referred to the bilateral joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Barack Obama.

The Minister, however, appears to have made it clear that the India's acquiescence would depend on the fulfilment of its demands of technology transfer and financial assistance, among others.

He also emphasised India's need for refrigeration and air-conditioning for the masses at an affordable cost, besides energy security. As such, India asked the developed countries to lower their barriers on patents to move ahead on HFC phase out in a cost effective manner.

"Do not keep your cards so close to your chest that you yourself cannot see them," Javadekar told them.

Late last night, a forward movement happened at the Montrea Protocol talks with nearly 200 countries agreeing to hold informal discussions on phasing out HFCs — a demand that has repeatedly been made by developed countries, such as the U.S., EU, Canada and others, over several years. However, developing nations have been opposing the same, primarily on the issue of costs and patents.

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