Modi invites Britain for energy efficiency co-operation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said clean energy and preservation of environment were priority areas for his government and invited Britain to partner in these efforts.

Modi met British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg here and called for greater cooperation between the two countries in areas such as education, skill development, clean energy, infrastructure development, and cleaning of rivers.

Clegg conveyed Britain's strong desire to strengthen and deepen relations with India.

According to a PMO release, Clegg expressed deep appreciation "for the ambitious goal of Indian's economic and social transformation that the new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi had set".

Clegg, who was accompanied by British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey, conveyed Britain's desire to work together with India in realising the government's goal of economic and social transformation.

The release said Modi expressed appreciation for British Prime Minister David Cameron's personal interest and commitment to the relationship between the two countries.

Both sides also discussed international issues relating to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and climate change.

On WTO, Modi reiterated India's commitment to the understandings reached during the 2013 Ninth Ministerial Conference in Bali, including on trade facilitation and expressed support for trade facilitation measures.

"He, however, emphasised on the need to move forward simultaneously on all the agreements reached in Bali, including on food security, to address the interests of all sections of society, particularly the poor people," the release said.

The release said that Clegg conveyed appreciation for the work done in Gujarat in the area of clean energy and preservation of environment.

"The prime minister said this was a priority area for the government. The government plans to develop 500 model towns in India with facilities for solid waste management and waste water treatment. Further, the government wants to develop all Himalayan states as "Organic States". He also articulated his vision of creating mass participation in energy efficiency. The prime minister invited Britain to partner in these efforts," the release said.

Modi also called upon the international community to take steps to provide clean technology to developing and under-developed countries at affordable prices, the release said.

Responding to the invitation to him to visit Britain, Modi said he looked forward to visiting the country at the earliest.