India’s environment minister has said the country will not sign up to legally binding greenhouse obligations for at least 10 years.

Jairam Ramesh, has said absolute cuts in greenhouse gas emissions will not even be considered until 2020.

The comments were made ahead of the crucial negotiations in Copenhagen in December.

The toughening of New Delhi’s stance coincides with China’s unhappiness at what it considers Western pressure.

Both countries have complained the developed world, which has responsibility for historic global emissions, has failed to meet its own targets.