India opposes EU tax in climate change talks

India on Wednesday said the EU decision to collect billions of dollars every year by unilaterally imposing a carbon tax on flights landing in the Eurozone is a deal breaker for climate change talks.

Speaking at an event organised by the The Energy Research Institute (TERI), Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said such unilateral measures in the guise of climate change are unacceptable.

"For environment ministry it (EU aviation cap) is a deal breaker because you simply cannot bring this into the climate change and impose such disguised trade measures in the name of climate change," Natarajan said.

She said India has raised the issue in various international fora but the EU is sticking to it.

"I have written a very strong letter to the EU commissioner and raised it at various national and international fora. I believe as far as climate change discussions are concerned, this is unacceptable," she said.

EU's proposal to cap planet-warming gases under its emission trading system makes it mandatory for airlines flying into its airspace to buy carbon credits equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted by their aircraft.

India has asked national carriers to not submit emission details to the EU.