Joining other top emitters the United States and China, India told the International Court of Justice that the existing UN framework was sufficient -- angering smaller vulnerable states that want to see the court go further.

"The court should avoid the creation of any new or additional obligations beyond those already existing under the climate change regime," India's representative Luther Rangreji told the ICJ.

The ICJ is holding historic hearings to form a so-called "advisory opinion" on states' responsibilities to fight climate change and the consequences for those damaging the environment.

More than 100 countries and organisations are presenting at the ICJ -- the biggest case ever before the world's top court.

Critics say the ICJ's advisory opinion, which will take months if not years to write, will lack teeth as it is non binding upon states and there is no means of enforcement.

Others hope the ICJ will lay down a legal precedent that will influence domestic climate legislation and litigation.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) "reflects a delicate balance among varying interests and enjoy almost universal adherence," said India's Rangreji.

He also warned that India's patience was wearing thin as the world's most populous country seeks to reduce harmful emissions while tackling poverty.

"India is pursuing ambitious climate actions based on our own domestic resources, despite the fact that our developed country partners have not fulfilled their obligations to provide climate finance and low-carbon technologies," he accused.

"Naturally, there is a limit on how much we burden our citizens, even when India is pursuing sustainable development goals for one-sixth of humanity," he added.

India aims to boost non-fossil fuel power capacity to 500 GW by 2030 and is committed to achieving a net-zero-emissions economy by 2070 -- two decades after most of the industrialised West.