Apr 25, 2007, 16:11 GMT
Strasbourg - Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam on Wednesday called for closer energy and research ties with the European Union, suggesting the creation of a joint 'world knowledge platform.'
In the first-ever address of an Indian president to the European Parliament, Kalam said that the EU and India needed 'intensive cooperation' in securing their energy supply, including nuclear.
Renewables and bio-fuels should be other areas for joint research projects, Kalam told members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
India has 17 per cent of the world's population, but less than 1 per cent of global oil and natural gas resources.
In the next two decades, economic powerhouse India needs to increase its power-generating capacity more than threefold to meet its growing energy needs, Kalam said.
India and the EU must join forces in research and development to forge ahead a 'world knowledge platform,' Kalam stressed.
Seeking to deepen India's ties with the 27-member EU, Kalam is also expected to visit France and Greece.
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