India extends support to Chairman of IPCC Dr Pachauri
India has extended its support to the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Dr Rajendra Pachauri as he came under criticism over recent scientific errors.
The IPCC faced criticism after it said in a report that the Himalayan glaciers could melt by 2035. Despite mistakes which have threatened to damage the organisation's credibility, Dr Pachauri has insisted that the threat from global warming remains.
Dr Pachauri defended IPCC's records and said the fourth assessment report from the panel has so much scientific work behind it.
Some have accused of a conflict of interest in his roles as the chairman of IPCC and in Teri research organisation in India. He has clarified that any amount he earns from advising companies goes into noble work of providing solar power to people without access to electricity.
"There is one mistake that occurred unfortunately and we have clearly accepted that, we have accepted regret that it took place but there is a huge volume of science over there, the IPCC fourth volume assessment report is a massive piece of work and I think all of what we have said over there is totally valid," he said.
He added that the media has been publishing "lies" about him and about the work of the IPCC.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that the country has "full confidence" in the IPCC and its Chairman.
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh also reiterated his support for the chairman. The country's support was officially conveyed in UN-led talks in Delhi.
The failure of the summit on Copenhagen to reach an agreement has given room for the debate on controversy over climate science. Skeptics use it to support their argument that the global warming theories are alarmist.