The crucial Kyoto Protocol got a new lease of life as climate negotiators agreed today to a second commitment period under it after India, refusing to be "intimidated" by the West, pushed hard for the principle of equity to be a part of the new roadmap to cut emissions.

The 14 days of marathon climate talks went into overtime and the climax was marked by angry exchanges between representatives of the European Union and those from India and China, with Minister for Environment Jayanthi Natarajan saying New Delhi would not yield to any undue pressure.

"India will never be intimidated by threats or intimidation or any kind of pressure like this," Natarajan said in a passioned statement at the plenary of talks, refusing to surrender the principle of burden-sharing between rich and poor nations.

Natarajan, who throughout the negotiations maintained that India wants the principle of equity to be included in the roadmap, said New Delhi cannot write a "blank cheque".

China's main delegate, Xie Zhenhua, too lent support to the Indian minister, batting in favour of differentiated responsibility.

"We should maintain the principle of common but differentiated responsibility," Xie said.

After intense negotiation and wrangling, the climate negotiators agreed to revive the Kyoto Protocol, the only legally binding climate treaty, that is set to expire in 2012.

India had strongly demanded that the developed nations make sure the Protocol is not jettisoned. .