Is green the new bright colour in the multi-hued India-US relations? And ‘green is clean’ the mantra of the future as the world’s most powerful and most populous democracies look to galvanise and firm up the next steps in their strategic partnership.
New Energy
Going by the content of the 4th US-India strategic dialogue in New Delhi June 24 and what US Secretary of State John Kerry has to say, green and clean could be the next big thing, imparting a fresh ballast of energy to this “defining relationship of the 21st century.”
From forging a bilateral dialogue on international climate change negotiations and co-creating green buildings to the export of shale gas, fructifying civil nuclear deal and imparting clean energy cooperation a new pace and face, the June 24 India-US dialogue stood out for re-framing the India-US relationship in terms of tangible issues with a direct bearing on people’s lives and the eco-system we all inhabit.
Co-chairing the fourth India-US strategic dialogue, US Secretary of State John Kerry and India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid “reaffirmed their countries’ strong commitment to work collaboratively to help ensure energy security, combat global climate change, and support the development of low-carbon economies that will create opportunities and fuel job growth in both countries.”
After the talks, Kerry unveiled an initiative for a bilateral working group to intensify the US-India cooperation to address issues related to climate change.
The two countries also agreed to proactively work together to “address barriers to clean energy deployment, shale gas resource assessments and sharing lessons on exploitation, clean coal technology development, and civil nuclear energy.”
This was perhaps the first time issues relating to climate change, green and clean energy and sustainable development found such salience in a strategic dialogue that is expected to be focused on the intricate chessboard of complex geopolitical issues.
Kerry held aloft the green banner from the moment he touched down in India on his maiden visit as the US’ top diplomat. In a memorable wide-ranging speech on Day One of his India visit June 23, Kerry exhorted India to work with the US to tackle climate change and develop green technologies. “We should work constructively side-by-side in the UN climate negotiations. I am convinced we can move toward a global agreement … that is sensitive to and respectful of the diversity of national circumstances,” he said. “The health of our planet and the irreversible climate challenge speeding toward us, crying out for a global solution, is the place to begin this conversation,” he underlined.
Green Economy
Framing the green cooperation in the larger context of economic revival, Kerry underscored that cooperation on developing clean technologies would also step up economic growth and create jobs. “As we look forward, India and the United States, with our traditions of innovation and technology, are particularly well-positioned and ready to roll up our sleeves and take advantage of this opportunity,” he said. “If we do this right, it won’t hurt our economies – it will grow them,” he said. Combating poverty and building a green environment actually go hand in hand. They are “actually two interconnected challenges that cannot be separated,” he said.
“Today, the population of India is soaring, and electricity demand is rising along with the increasing population… Access to energy is the essential ingredient of economic development. You can’t create jobs in the dark…It’s about growth. It is also about helping the poor of the country, who are actually worst hit by climate crisis.”
To make sure that it was not just vague idealistic talk about creating a harmonious planet, Kerry made sure that his Indian interlocutors saw the green game for what it was: the new energy markets, he stressed, were worth $6 trillion.
The green-clean drive is gathering apace, literally. The two countries have managed to marshal $1.7 billion to finance clean energy initiatives under the signature US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE).
Kerry’s green message had a touch of urgency to it even as India grappled with the horrific catastrophe unleashed by rains and landslide, killing thousands in some of the holiest places in the northern hilly areas, which are visited by pilgrims in search of salvation. The indiscriminate building frenzy is cited as one of the reasons for this heart-wrenching tragedy of apocalyptic proportions.
The India-US ‘Green Partnership’ enjoys full support of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama.
And here is a piece of good news for middle India trying to beat the merciless heat with the cold comforts of air-conditioning. The US has agreed to offer a helping hand to India to improve the energy efficiency of India’s air-conditioners. So, chill out, and think green and clean.
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