New York: With uncertainty persisting in India on the civilian nuclear initiative with the US, the Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath remarked that a "broad political consensus" was necessary to conclude the deal.

Kamal Nath, while addressing the prestigious Asia Society here, said that the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement needs to be looked more as an energy deal rather than nuclear deal.

The minister said it is necessary to have a broad political consensus on the deal, pointing out that it was because of this consensus that economic reforms have continued despite changes in governments and prime ministers.

To ease the tight power situation, he said, "India is looking for clean coal technology as also alternative sources of energy."

The Minister also added that wind energy is already producing 5000 MW of power and there are plans to expand production from alternative sources, which provide clean electricity without harming the environment.

Source : PTI