Energy News
Indian president calls for closer energy ties with Europe
By DPA
Apr 25, 2007, 16:11 GMT

Strasbourg - Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam on Wednesday called for closer energy and research ties with the European Union, suggesting the creation of a joint 'world knowledge platform.'

In the first-ever address of an Indian president to the European Parliament, Kalam said that the EU and India needed 'intensive cooperation' in securing their energy supply, including nuclear.

Renewables and bio-fuels should be other areas for joint research projects, Kalam told members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

India has 17 per cent of the world's population, but less than 1 per cent of global oil and natural gas resources.

In the next two decades, economic powerhouse India needs to increase its power-generating capacity more than threefold to meet its growing energy needs, Kalam said.

India and the EU must join forces in research and development to forge ahead a 'world knowledge platform,' Kalam stressed.

Seeking to deepen India's ties with the 27-member EU, Kalam is also expected to visit France and Greece.