If world helps, India will be first to switch over to clean energy: PM Modi to Letterman

Stressing that fight against climate change is a collective responsibility, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India can switch over to cleaner energy sources from coal, if the world provides the needed technology and resources.

Speaking to American TV show host David Letterman for Emmy award-winning documentary series 'Years of Living Dangerously' that was aired Saturday, Prime Minister Modi said until then, he would seek for alternatives to meet India's rising energy demand.

Asserting that aspirations of billions of Indians will be met, but not at the cost of nature, the Prime Minister added, "If the world helps me with technology, helps me with resources, I will be the very first person to switch over to clean energy completely."

Prime Minister Modi discussed with Letterman India's vision to help fight climate change and stressed on the collective responsibility for global action against climate change.

As per the Paris Climate Agreement, India, which is the world's third-biggest carbon emitter, has committed to ensuring that at least 40 percent of its electricity will be generated from non-fossil sources by 2030.

The Prime Minister recalled that though he grew up in poverty, he was always interested in spiritual activities and had nurtured the love for nature. In today's world, no country can remain isolated and the entire world in inter-dependent, he said.