External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today used the platform of the Sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas conclave to stress that Indias energy security needs were extremely acute, and emphasised that the Indo- US Civil nuclear cooperation agreement is intended to meet those requirements.
New Delhi, Jan. 9 : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today used the platform of the Sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas conclave to stress that India's energy security needs were extremely acute, and emphasised that the Indo- US Civil nuclear cooperation agreement is intended to meet those requirements.
Making a case in support of the deal, Mukherjee said the need for energy security is acute now than ever before to sustain the momentum of growth, and with the growing international oil prices, there was a need to build energy stocks, explore its new avenues and produce renewable sources of energy to meet this growing demand.
Multilateral and bilateral frameworks were the need of the hour to secure energy supplies on a long term basis, the Minister said.
Mukherjee said the challenge for India is to balance the rights and the needs of the people with the growing demands of industrialization.
He said it is in this context the central government is formulating a balanced policy for setting up of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The policy aims to addresses the rights and demands of the people and at the same time provides for building industrial and manufacturing strengths.
Mukherjee urged states to reorient their policies for development according to their peculiar needs and conditions and at the same time maintain a degree of homogeneity and a balanced view to put the development and growth on a fast track.
In their presentations, chief ministers of various states put forward their cases for investment in their respective regions.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said his state has achieved a growth of over ten percent in the last five year plan and expressed hope that over 11 percent growth would be achieved in the current plan. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda provided details of infrastructural development in his state, and added that there was a need for cooperation from Non Resident Indians in this endeavor. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit and the Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda also addressed the conclave.
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil will deliver the valedictory address at the conclave this evening. Over 1500 delegates from different countries are participating in the conclave.
ANI