Energy costs are sky-high due to geopolitical tensions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said

Pointing out that a huge market for clean energy technologies is emerging in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said G-7 countries can invest in research, innovation, and manufacturing in this field.

"The scale that India can provide for every new technology can make that technology affordable for the whole world," he said during the session on ‘Investing in a better Future: Climate, Energy, Health’ at the G7 Summit in Germany.

During his remarks at the session, Prime Minister Modi noted that India's contribution to global carbon emissions is only 5%. "All of you will also agree that energy access should not be the privilege of the rich only - a poor family also has the same rights on energy," he argued.

This was an important point to remember when energy costs were sky-high due to geopolitical tensions, he said.

By taking inspiration from this principle, the government delivered LED bulbs and clean cooking gas door-to-door in India and showed that millions of tons of carbon emissions can be saved while ensuring energy for the poor, PM Modi said.

"Our dedication to our climate commitments is evident from our performance," Prime Minister Modi pointed out. He listed the following in support of his statement:

* India achieved the target of 40 percent energy-capacity from non-fossil sources 9 years before time.

* The target of 10 percent ethanol-blending in petrol has been achieved 5 months before time.

* India has the world's first fully solar power operated airport.

* India's huge railway system will become net zero in this decade.

Pointing out that human and planet health were interconnected, Prime Minister Modi explained that India had adopted the approach of one world, one health. "During the pandemic, India found many creative ways to use digital technology in the health sector. G7 countries can help India to take these innovations to other developing countries," he said.

He also referred to the recent International Day of Yoga celebrations, adding that In times of the Covod crisis, yoga had become a great tool for preventive health for people all over the world.

"Apart from yoga, there is a valuable asset of traditional medicine in many countries of the world including India, which can be used for holistic health. I am glad that recently WHO decided to set up its Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India," Prime Minister Modi said.