New Delhi, Dec 23 : Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chief R. K. Pachauri Wednesday termed the Copenhagen Accord as a "huge diplomatic challenge" for the four BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) countries.

"A large number of African countries and the small island states and low lying countries should not feel alienated from positions of the BASIC group. It's a huge diplomatic challenge for the group that they carry all small countries with them," Pachauri told reporters here.

Small island states like Maldives and Tuvalu, and many African and Latin American countries had attacked the accord drafted by the US in a meeting with BASIC countries, though it had been shown to 25 national delegations including from these groups before it was submitted to the summit's plenary session.

Pachauri said India cannot and should alienate smaller developing countries and must also assist them in every possible way.

"India should keep in mind that if it is taking a selfish approach then it will have serious implications not only in climate change but in other areas too. Indian authorities must express and show concern for protecting the ecosystems of this planet and should not allow their words or actions to be interpreted as being only in India's national interest," he said.

According to Pachauri, the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol -- the current treaty to tackle climate change -- are sacrosanct for countries like India, and even if the new agreement goes by another name, the essential features of the Kyoto Protocol must be preserved.

Calling the emergence of BASIC group a significant political development, Pachauri said: "The group has to be taken seriously by developed countries. Whatever agreement comes in Conference of Parties (COP) in Mexico 2010 will need to negotiated by these countries."

Replying to a question about a rift in the BASIC group, Pachauri said: "I see no group as cohesive. There is a rift in European Union, African group but BASIC have some degree of cohesiveness. I expect developing countries will take a common stand when dealing with developed countries."(IANS)