MODI LAUNCHES SOLAR ALLIANCE, CALLS IT ‘DREAM COME TRUE’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the International Solar Alliance of over 100 countries in the presence of French President Francois Hollande and described it as a “dream come true”.

Launching the alliance of over 100 countries at a packed conference hall with several other heads of states in attendance, Modi said the alliance would bring together the knowledge of nations to improve installation of solar technologies and improve energy access to the poor.

“This day is the sunrise of new hope, not just for clean energy, but for villages and homes still in darkness,” Modi said. “Convergence between economy, ecology and energy shall define our future,” he added.

Modi, who said that the sun was the source of all types of energy in Indian tradition, had first discussed the idea of the Solar Alliance with Hollande when he had visited France earlier this year.

He then discussed the idea with ministry of non and renewable energy minister Piyush Goyal and it was decided to have an alliance in place before the Paris climate summit.

In the meantime, a group of rich nations also launched a global alliance for carbon pricing through market interventions.

The US and European Union are part of the alliance.

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