India, Britain discuss issues ahead of Modi visit

Britain's secretary of state for energy and climate change Amber Rudd on Tuesday called on Jitendra Singh, India's minister of state in the PMO, and discussed issues of mutual interest, including civil nuclear energy ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Britain in November.

"India's nuclear energy programme is primarily meant for peaceful purposes and has achieved rapid strides in recent times, particularly because Narendra Modi himself takes a personal interest and promotes all the scientific initiatives, including those undertaken by the department of atomic energy," Jitendra Singh told the visiting official.

Jitendra Singh, who also holds the portfolio of personnel, public grievances and pensions, expressed satisfaction over the fact that India and Britain share collaboration in the field of atomic energy.

"The mutual cooperation in this field is bound to grow further in the years to come, more so because the two countries have very much in common in different spheres of life," he said.

Sharing Britain's view and observations about climate change negotiations, Rudd dwelt on overall strategy of the British government in relation to energy, including renewable and solar energy, and climate change policy.

Rudd, who is on a two-day visit to India, told Jitendra Singh that her nation was looking forward to Modi's visit with great enthusiasm.