India and ASEAN member countries should forge cooperation in renewable energy production to reduce the dependence on fossil energy, Indian Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has said.

Farooq Abdullah made the call when delivering a speech at the opening of the ASEAN-India Energy Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on November 7.

Stressing the important role of renewable energy in the energy security of India, the Minister said that every citizen of India and ASEAN should have access to sustainable and reliable sources of clean energy.

At present, India has become one of the world’s five leading producers of renewable energy, with about 12.5 percent of the national electricity output coming from this kind of energy, he said, adding that the country’s investment in this field currently exceeds 10 billion USD.

At the meeting, participants probed new orientations and methods for energy cooperation as well as sought solutions to the existing challenges.

Many ASEAN member countries expressed their hope to increase cooperation with India in solar, wind and biomass energy as well as in small-scaled hydroelectric technology.

Participants agreed to beef up dialogues, technology transfer, and contacts between industrial organisations of ASEAN and India.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh headed the Vietnamese delegation to the meeting.

Source: VNA