India UK Solar Deal

• Indian Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and his UK counterpart signed a solar-related cooperation agreement
• One of the agreements is about research projects on micro-grid systems to connect remotely located areas
• The two will work as R&D partners in India's International Solar Alliance, smart cities, advance manufacturing, among other fields

India and the UK have signed on two agreements in an effort to increase their cooperation in the fields of science and technology. One of these agreements is related to solar energy. The two countries have decided to focus on research projects related to micro-grid systems to connect remotely located areas.

During his UK visit for the fifth Indo-UK Science and Innovation Council meeting, Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in India, met his UK counterpart Jo Johnson. They discussed about establishing the 'India-UK Networked Centre on Solar Energy', according to a report on financial portal Money Control.

Harsh Vardhan also tweeted that the two nations will work as R&D partners in the solar alliance, smart cities, advance manufacturing among other fields. There was another agreement related to nano technology, but there was no additional details shared.

Ever since India set its renewable energy target to 175 GW out of which 100 GW will come from solar, the subcontinent has been working towards opportunities to engage with other nations for technological and financial reasons. The UK participates in India's International Solar Alliance (ISA). Recently, the US and India also signed on over $1 billion worth of commitments with a major part of it dedicated to the development of solar energy.