The US is collaborating with India on development of clean technologies by setting up a joint INR 125 crore research and development centre, the first by the US Energy Department with a foreign country.

US Under Secretary for International Trade Mr Francisco Sanchez at a CII event said that "It will mobilize USD 25 million over five years. The R&D will focus on areas like building efficiency, solar energy and advance bio fuels. It is the first venture of its kind the (US) Energy Department has undertaken with a foreign government.”

With an eye on increasing business potential in clean technologies in India, Sanchez is leading a high-level business delegation of CEOs of 15 top US companies, engaged in clean technologies. These include Azure Power, Serious Energy, A123 Systems, Amonix Inc, Picarro Inc and Sopogy Inc.

However, he said that India needs to provide a level-playing to the overseas firms in its national solar mission which denies sourcing from outside the country.

He added that "We encourage India to address concerns that many have about its business environment. In particular, there is increasing concern about some recent action that seems to tilt the playing field... Many of the policies designed to protect Indian industries will only hurt them in the end.”

(Sourced from ET)