MOSCOW, Mar 18 (PTI): Asserting that energy rivalry would be counter-productive for both India and China, the two countries have agreed to closely cooperate in providing affordable energy to their millions of farmers, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dinsha Patel said yesterday. Both countries have agreed to "very closely" cooperate in all sectors of energy including wind, biogas and solar and in jointly developing and sharing new technology to provide affordable energy for the benefit of farmers, he told reporters here after talks with Vice-Chairman of the Chinese State Committee for Development and Reforms Zhang Guabao. Patel and Guabao were representing their countries at the G- 8 energy ministers' meeting in Moscow. "China has proposed regular exchanges and consultations to promptly resolve issues cropping up in this field," Patel said. He said that India and China, the world's two fastest growing energy consumers, have agreed that rivalry in energy sector would be detrimental to the interests of both the nations. "It will neither benefit India nor China," Patel, who made history yesterday by addressing G-8 meet in Hindi, said. "During talks with my Chinese colleague we discussed how China and India could give a message to the whole world that we are together. This would also assure smaller developing countries and we could also work together for their benefit," Patel said. Before leaving for home today, Patel said his talks with leaders of other countries, including Russia, would be "very beneficial" for ensuring India's energy security.
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