Energy partnership between India and US supports sustainable development

WASHINGTON DC: The United States of America and India have collaborated for research on natural gas, renewable energy, nuclear energy, clean coal technologies, smart grids, and unconventional and clean energy sources. On this, Ned Price, Spokesperson, United States Department of State, at a news conference on Monday, February 22, commented that this collaboration has been made for the benefit of ‘our people’, now and in the future. He said that this energy cooperation supports sustainable development, promotes regional and international stability, protects national security, and harnesses sources to meet power needs of the 21^st century.

Price, responding to a question on current state of cooperation between India and US on energy, said that the strategic partnership between the two countries is strong and it will continue growing, especially because of the administration prioritizing climate change issues. He mentioned how both the nations have worked closely with each other on the challenges of climate change, and how in December 2015, when the Paris Climate Agreement was consummated, US and India worked closely to usher in the Paris Agreement. Therefore, he said, “We will continue to work closely with India on the challenges of climate change.”

Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s Ambassador to US, dubbed the energy sector as one of the five baskets of India-US collaboration in an op-ed section in Newsweek magazine. Sandhu had recently commented that India remains committed to the goals of the Paris Climate accord and welcomes the return of the US to this critical agreement. He added that India and the US are already working together in renewable energy under the Strategic Energy Partnership.

Singh said in his op-ed that India has demonstrated leadership as it is creating the International Solar Alliance, while simultaneously being on track on surpassing its voluntary commitments under the Paris Accord.