Greg airs his views on low carbon growth during visit to India with PM

Addressing Indian and British companies in New Delhi, Greg said low carbon growth should be at the centre of the UK's special partnership with India.

Both countries have agreed to work together to help the Indian economy grow in a more energy efficient way, cutting emissions and helping businesses reduce their reliance on energy.

The energy intensity of India's economy improved by a third between 1990 and 2007, making it more efficient than the US or China.

India has pledged to further reduce the emissions intensity of its economy by 20-25% by 2020 and boosts some of the world's most energy efficient factories, and is working to improve the less efficient factories in each energy-intensive sector.

The agreement is to share experience on trading schemes and kick-start the market to channel investment into industrial energy efficiency.

The initiative was agreed with Indian Power Minister Shri Sushil Shinde.

Greg said: "'The new government is determined to bring a fresh approach to the climate debate.

"Last year in the run up to Copenhagen the UK lectured India on climate issues, despite the fact that 450 million people still don't have electricity.

"It's now time to stop preaching, start listening and get on with practical solutions which will tackle both poverty and climate change and create real green business opportunities."

During his two day visit to the country Greg also met civil society, and businesses developing innovative solutions, to India's energy security and climate change challenges.

Travelling with senior business figures from the UK, Greg visited the Tata BP solar manufacturing plant in the southern city of Bangalore to see for himself how Indian manufacturers are scaling up investment in green technologies of the future.

An innovative project between the UK and Indian Government to tackle deforestation was also set in motion.

This will look at the opportunity and scope of restoring forests which will benefit the climate, biodiversity and local communities.