It is unfortunate the U.S. moved against India’s solar policy at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a measure that is likely to thwart India’s renewable energy sector (“India’s case on its solar policy”, Mar.30). The policy, aimed at using solar power to meet India’s huge power requirements while lowering the atmospheric emissions, does envisage the use of domestic inputs in solar cells.
However, it is difficult to understand how this is tantamount to the creation of trade barriers for the United States, especially when, as the editorial points out, at least nine States there provide protection to their domestic manufacturers. This is an example of how developed nations try to apply brakes on well-intentioned and essential schemes of developing nations like India by citing insignificant reasons. India should remain firm in its formulated policy while trying to bring about an amicable settlement.
S.R.S. Ayyar,
Mumbai
