Energy, bio-tech key areas of India-Scotland cooperation
By IANSTuesday, October 12, 2010
NEW DELHI - Renewable energy and bio-technology are among the main fields of cooperation between India and Scotland, as the two countries announced tie ups in education and research sectors Tuesday.
One of the key areas of cooperation will be new and renewable energy, Scottish First Minister and head of the devolved Scottish Government Alex Salmond, who is in India to attend the Commonwealth Games, said.
Scotland is one of the world leaders in new and renewable energy. We are presently fulfilling almost 95 percent of our energy needs by renewable sources, which will rise to 100 percent by 2020, he said.
The Scottish Minister will meet India’s New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah Thursday. Salmond may also meet the Prime Minister the same day.
It is a critical field and India needs to do something soon, he said, adding that the cooperation will be mainly for research and development.
Another area of cooperation is bio-technology. India and Scotland can together develop new intellectual capital in the field, he said.
Presently, 16 Scottish companies are operating in the country, while 11 major Indian firms have their offices in Scotland.
Forging new and stronger ties with each other is in the mutual interest of both countries. We look forward for more collaborations, Salmond added.
