The US and India have pledged to boost co-operation in tackling climate change and promoting clean energy.
US President Barack Obama – during his recent visit to India – and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi both renewed their commitment to the Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre, a $125 million (£83m) programme jointly funded by the two nations.
The renewal includes extending funding for three existing research projects – solar energy, building energy efficiency and advanced biofuels – for five years as well as launching a new track on smart grid and grid storage technology.
India has set a target to increase its share of renewable electricity generation to 100GW by 2022.
The US will work with India to develop a renewable energy storage project and host a smart grid workshop.
The two nations also aim to reduce the environmental and emissions impact of heavy-duty vehicles and transportation fuels by working to adopt cleaner fuels and efficiency standards in India.
“The two countries concluded negotiations on a five-year MOU on Energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change to carry this work forward, to be signed as early as possible at a mutually-agreed upon date”, the joint statement said.