India has pointed out that there is no new treaty to negotiate. Instead, it wants developed countries to further reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases that are heating up the atmosphere, by the strengthening the existing UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

'Clearly, from the standpoint of India, energy is vitally important,' Crowley said. 'The two (issues) are obviously linked in the sense that how countries develop in the future and the energy consumption, access to energy on the one hand and consumption on the other hand.'

US saw a tremendous opportunity for the development of clear sources of energy. And that can be an important stimulus in terms of and a catalyst for research, development, and job creation, he said. 'I think that same opportunity exists for India as well.'

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)