India, U.S. Experts Talk Energy Security Collaboration

Washington: Leading researchers, policymakers and businesspeople from India and the U.S. discussed strategies for collaboration towards energy security for both countries as they move towards low-carbon economic pathways.

Issues relating to sustainable development were in spotlight at the just concluded U.S.-India Energy Partnership Summit with the theme of 'Stimulating Technology, Trade and Development,' organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in association with Yale University.

In a message to the summit Prime Minister Manmohan Singh noted that through the India-U.S. Energy Dialogue, "bilateral co-operation has made remarkable progress in seeking solutions to the energy challenges of our times."

He expressed confidence that the summit would bring energy experts of the two countries "into deeper engagement in an area of great importance for the prosperity of our two nations and for a sustainable future of our world".

India's Minister for Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said India and the U.S. share a common interest in lessening the dependence on fossil fuel.

U.S. cooperation is important in the area of technology development and transfer, but some other areas that need more attention are manufacturing and investment, he said.

Giving the keynote address, acting U.S. Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman said the creativity seen in technology development in dealing with issues of climate change should now be carried over to the area of finance in order to

ensure that capital is available for renewable sources of energy.

The joint research and development programme at TERI University focused on solar and biofuels., which is funded by the U.S. to the tune of $125 million, will have the participation of 95 government and private entities through the next five years, he said.

Indian ambassador to the U.S. Nirupama Rao said energy security is a question of life and survival for the Indian masses and in ensuring sustainable development, cooperation between India and the U.S. is crucial.

R. K. Pachauri, Director General, TERI and President, TERI-North America, suggested institution of policies that are comprehensive and integrated across various sectors of the economy.

Richard C Levin, President of Yale University, in a video address stressed private and public sector cooperation in dealing with the problem of growing concentration of carbon dioxide.

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