Ahead of the crucial Paris climate talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today invited China to join the International Solar Alliance proposed by India.
Modi extended the invitation to China during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on the sidelines of ASEAN-India Summit here.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the global scenario with regard to climate change.
China and India reviewed the preparations for the CoP-21 conference in Paris with Prime Minister Modi briefing Li on the solar alliance initiative and inviting China to join it, an official statement said.
The development comes a day after France said it supports India's plans to set up an international solar alliance to promote access to low-carbon energy.
Prime Minister Modi is slated to launch the initiative at the forthcoming climate meet (COP-21) in Paris from November 30 to December 11.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in New Delhi yesterday that India will be a key player at the COP-21, as a solution to dealing with climate change cannot be found without its consensus.
The idea of solar alliance was mooted by Modi during the the India-Africa Forum Summit last month.
"I invite you to join an alliance of solar-rich countries that I have proposed to launch in Paris on November 30 at the time of COP-21 meeting. Our goal is to make solar energy an integral part of our life and take it to the most unconnected villages and communities," Modi had said.
