"Concerted efforts should be taken to develop solar energy in a big way and a pipeline from Central Asia through China instead of the pipelines through Iran, Afghanistan and Balochistan should be laid," said Maharaj Krishna Rasgotra, chairman of the National Security Advisory Board.

While inaugurating the 6th Petro India 2007 conference, Rasgotra said he regretted that very little has been done in the area of solar energy.

"We should take the lead instead of the U.S. We should bring in researchers from abroad also and do some solid work," he said.

Rasgotra said India should spend at least $1 billion per year for five years to harness solar energy as an alternative.

Rasgotra, a former foreign secretary, also asked the conference to consider his idea of building a pipeline from Central Asia through China, instead of the pipelines through Iran, Afghanistan and Balochistan.