India has conveyed its displeasure on Europe’s decision to levy a carbon tax on airlines. The issue was taken up by civil aviation minister Ajit Singh, who told the European delegates this unilateral measure violated international norms.
According to government sources, the European side was not keen to include the carbon tax issue in the joint statement but relented as India insisted on it. The joint statement of the meeting said the leaders from both sides reiterated respective positions on the inclusion of aviation in the EU emission trading scheme and noted the strong divergence of views.
India along with China and US are leading the protests against the carbon levy which came into effect from January. China has directed its airlines not to participate in teh emission trading while India and other countries are contemplating retaliatory action against Europe.
