KUALA LUMPUR: Ahead of the crucial Paris climate talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invited China to join the International Solar Alliance proposed by India.

Modi extended the invitation to China during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on the sidelines of ASEAN-India Summit here.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the global scenario with regard to climate change.

China and India reviewed the preparations for the CoP-21 conference in Paris with Prime Minister Modi briefing Li on the solar alliance initiative and inviting China to join it, an official statement said.

The development comes a day after France said it supports India's plans to set up an international solar alliance to promote access to low-carbon energy.

Prime Minister Modi is slated to launch the initiative at the forthcoming climate meet (COP-21) in Paris from November 30 to December 11.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in New Delhi yesterday that India will be a key player at the COP-21, as a solution to dealing with climate change cannot be found without its consensus.

The idea of solar alliance was mooted by Modi during the the India-Africa Forum Summit last month.

"I invite you to join an alliance of solar-rich countries that I have proposed to launch in Paris on November 30 at the time of COP-21 meeting. Our goal is to make solar energy an integral part of our life and take it to the most unconnected villages and communities," Modi had said.