Solar energy should be accessible, affordable: Sushma

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday asserted that the just launched International Solar Alliance was actually a "reflection" of the vision and the firm belief that the blessings of Sun and the energy emanated from it can be used to bring the global community on a united platform.

"The Alliance is a reflection of the vision and the firm belief that the beneficence of the Sun could be used to bring together the peoples of this planet for a shared solution to our energy needs. The desire behind that vision has always been to make solar energy accessible and affordable for the poor by addressing the various economic and technological factors that currently impede such access," Ms Swaraj said delivering the welcome address of the first ISA conference here.

"In India, we live by the credo of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - a Sanskrit shloka, which means "the world is one family". But seldom have I drawn greater joy from my duty as India's External Affairs Minister, opening the doors to our global family, as I do today," she said trying to underline the significance of the meet.

"ISA is not only a testament to India's unwavering faith in multilateralism but also a commitment on all of our parts to a better, sustainable and greener future", she pointed out.

The ISA has been making rapid strides since its launch at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris on November 30, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then French President Francois Hollande, she said.

Economic growth and sustainable development are not mutually exclusive but reinforce each other, she said and maintained in recognition of this responsibility, India has provided support worth US $ 27 million towards hosting the ISA secretariat, created an ISA corpus fund, offered training support for ISA member countries at National Institute for Solar Energy (NISE) and also provided support for demonstration projects for solar home lighting, solar pumps for farmers and for other solar applications.

"Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) have announced contribution of US$ 1 million each to the ISA corpus and we will do much much more," she said.