By Smita Prakash

Washington, Nov 23 (ANI): Addressing a select gathering of Indo-US business leaders here, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh said on Monday that New Delhi plans to sign with the US Government a Memorandum of Understanding on energy security, clean energy and climate change with the objective of increasing bilateral cooperation in specific areas.

Addressing the US-India Business Council (USIBC), Dr. Singh said: “As we work with other countries to meet the challenge of climate change, we are also addressing the problem domestically through a National Action Plan for Climate Change which outlines many new initiatives in energy efficiency and clean energy.”

“These are areas where you companies are leaders in the field and, we should explore possible areas of cooperation,” he added.

“We plan to sign with the U.S. Government tomorrow a Memorandum of Understanding on energy security, clean energy and climate change. This will provide a framework for pursuing bilateral cooperation in specific areas,” Dr. Singh said.

New Delhi has linked the issue of climate change commitments to the case for greater US cooperation on the supply of nuclear power.

Dr. Singh at several forums has already said that to augment energy security, a strategic shift will have to be made from carbon-based energy sources to newer ones, including nuclear energy.

If India is expected to fulfill expectations in speedily reducing carbon emissions, its energy security needs will have to be addressed, and one of the considerations is to make the shift from carbon-based sources to newer ones.

The discussions on these issues are being led by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, on the Indian side, and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu on the American side.

Chairman of USIBC and Pepsico chairperson Indra K. Nooyi and the president of the US Chambers of Commerce, Tom Donohue, along with business leaders of both countries were present on the occasion. (ANI)