Modi,Bill Gates discuss clean energy initiatives

Bill Gates, Co-chair and Trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, where they discussed clean energy initiatives, financial inclusion, sanitation, health and nutrition.

Appreciative of the work done in India in the field of renewable energy, Bill Gates emphasised on the need to lower the cost of clean energy to the level of hydrocarbons.

He said there has been enormous progress on financial inclusion and offered support to strengthen the efforts in this direction.

On the issue of health, Bill Gates appreciated the work done, particularly the introduction of new vaccines.

They also discussed the issue of leveraging existing postal infrastructure to create Hybrid Payment Banks across the country.

Besides, the Swachh Bharat campaign and the government's efforts to improve sanitation were also discussed at a length.