US collaborates with India in clean tech R&D

The US is collaborating with India on development of clean technologies by setting up a joint Rs 125-crore (Rs 1.25 billion) research and development centre, the first by the US Energy Department with a foreign country.

"It will mobilise $25 million. . .over five years. The R&D will focus on areas like building efficiency,solar energy and advance bio-fuels.

"It is the first venture of its kind the (US) Energy Department has undertaken with a foreign government," US Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sanchez said at a Confederation of Indian Industry event in New Delhi.

With an eye on increasing business potential in clean technologies in India, Sanchez is leading a high-level business delegation of chief executive officers of 15 top US companies, engaged in clean technologies.

These include Azure Power, Serious Energy, A123

Systems, Amonix Inc, Picarro Inc and Sopogy Inc.

However, he said that India needs to provide a level-playing to the overseas firms in its national solar mission which denies sourcing from outside the country.

"We encourage India to address concerns that many have about its business environment. In particular, there is increasing concern about some recent action that seems to tilt the playing field. . . . Many of the policies designed to protect Indian industries will only hurt them in the end".

Besides meeting the industry leaders, Sanchez is scheduled to co-chair the India-US Commercial Dialogue along with Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar on Tuesday.

The India-US Commercial Dialogue is an institutional arrangement between the two countries to promote trade and remove obstacles.

Sanchez will also be travelling to Hyderabad, along with the members of the US clean technology mission.