NEW DELHI, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- India could emerge as a world leader in the application of solar energy through bilateral technological exchanges with Russia, officials said in New Delhi.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission on Monday. The project sets the goal of achieving 20,000 megawatts of solar energy for India by 2022.
Sergei Seredin, Russia's first deputy director general of economics and finance, led a delegation from Moscow to take part in inaugural ceremonies. He lauded the program as setting India on a course to become a world leader in solar energy.
"In our opinion, India has adopted the right approach in renewable energy," he told Indian newspaper The Hindu.
The director said Moscow was interested in playing a role in New Delhi's strategy to adopt an ambitious solar energy plan. This includes working with Indian companies to construct solar power stations and manufacturing facilities.
"We are open to forging joint ventures and also set up manufacturing facilities in India and Russia for solar energy components for industrial and other use, including supply of solar cells, modules or other such applications," he said. "We see huge prospects for joint ventures with India."
