Modi likely to address Indo-US energy summit in Washington

Renewable energy and energy security would be the focus of the two-day annual India-US Energy Summit to be held in Washington next month. Noting that energy security is critical for both the US and India, Dr R.K Pachauri, president of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of North America, said the two countries must work together, both in energy security as well as on policy fronts, to bring in some positive changes.

The two-day event from 30 September is organised by TERI and Yale University; and is expected to be attended by top officials and energy experts from both the countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be in the US capital to meet President Barack Obama, has been invited to address the meeting on energy, a subject supposedly high on his reform agenda.

According to a TERI statement, the focus of the summit will be on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and related areas.

''Energy security is critical for both the US and India,'' Pachauri said.

''The recent geopolitical developments in the region from where we import the bulk of our oil, can lead to a drastic increase in oil prices. The devaluation of the rupee has added to the crisis. But I am confident that we are on the cusp of change in the use of our renewable energy resources,'' he said.

''We should be investing more on renewable energy sources in the coming years. India and the US must work together, both in energy security as well as on policy fronts, so that we can bring in some positive changes,'' Pachauri said.

Hosted annually since 2009 by TERI North America and Yale University, the fifth US-India Energy Partnership Summit will broadly look at 'Accelerating Resilient Growth and Development', while addressing various issues related to energy efficiency, security, access and technology.

Stakeholders from various sectors will discuss new collaborations in clean technologies and renewable energy, green buildings and sustainable cities, decentralised energy access, alternatives such as shale gas, etc.

Climate change will also form a key component of the discussions, with the proceedings at the General Assembly and Climate Summit providing significant inputs to the Summit deliberations, the statement said.