On Thursday, US President Donald Trump fulfilled another poll promise by announcing to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, a landmark pact signed by 195 nations to protect the planet from climate change.

It’s another matter that Trump is facing opposition from 60 Mayors in his own country.

But America can’t pull out of the accord immediately. The Paris accord came into effect on November 2016. There is provision to withdraw, but notice can be given only three years after entry. So, withdrawal would take effect a year after that, meaning November 2020, a date that coincides with the next US presidential election – raising the prospect that the issue remains alive during the campaign.

Experts say US decision will have little impact on India, but it certainly will make it much more difficult for the world to attain global greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The United States had pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 per cent compared to 2005 levels by the year 2025.

The US president said he can reconsider ‘re-entering’ the accord if the terms are re-jigged to make them ‘fair’ for American citizens and workers. “As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens,” he said.

Announcing the decision from the White House on Thursday, Trump said the Paris deal was not tough on big emitters like India and China.

“For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years — 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries,” he said.

Another reference to India came when he said that the country was being allowed to build coal plants as part of the deal, while US was not. “India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. We’re supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants,” he said.

Foreign policy watchers have said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the White House could be problematic.

In a 10-year energy blueprint published last year, the Modi government had pledged to exceed the targets it had set in the Paris accord nearly three-and-a-half years ahead of schedule. Also with the country having to make strides to ensure access to electricity in every household, experts have said it’s carbon allowance in Paris is reasonable.