India today needs investment of about USD 1 trillion for new infrastructure over the next few years and innovative solutions were being sought for meeting this massive requirement to fulfil its reform agenda and return to the growth trajectory of about 9 per cent.



Addressing the plenary of the 71st UNESCAP Commission Session underway here, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Growth is needed to create jobs, sustain poverty reduction and maintain socio-political stability and provide resources for poverty reduction programmes."



"Without economic growth, gains in other developmental indicators are simply not possible," she said.



"The Indian economy is expected to return to the pre-crisis growth trajectory of about 9 per cent in a couple of years following the reforms undertaken by the Modi government," the minister said.



She said the launch last year by India of the 'Skill India' mission and the 'Make in India' programmes coupled with enhancing the ease of doing business complemented with the work of newly constituted Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.



It targeted in the first instance 50 million individuals through vocational and technical training frameworks, upgrading existing skills and creating new skills.



The minister said India needs investment of about USD 1 trillion in new infrastructure over the next few years and innovative solutions were being sought for meeting this massive requirement.



"The Government of India is considering modern, clean and innovative solutions to total rural electrification, including solar energy and other renewable energy sources, and off-grid solutions.



"India has set an ambitious target to increase production of renewable energy fivefold by 2019 and halve energy imports by 2030, despite population and demand growth," she added.



After revising targets for the National Solar Mission India has set a target of creating 100 Giga Watts of solar power capacity by 2022, compared to the initial plan of 20 Giga Watts.



A new target set under the National Wind Energy Mission is expected to generate annual addition capacity of 10 Giga Watts every year, Sitharaman said.



She said that there was an urgent need for countries of the Asia Pacific to accelerate and sustain broad-based and pro-poor economic growth to provide the foundation for more inclusive development.



Recognising the work of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap), the minister suggested that the world body could work on research and analysis of the inclusive and sustainable development aspects of trade and investment, including easy transfer of technology to the developing countries.



She said it can also work on mechanisms within the framework of the Doha Declaration which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the TRIPS agreement regarding flexibilities to protect public health and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all.



She further noted that Escap couldidentify the trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets including all forms of agricultural export subsidies and export measures which are adversely affecting the exports of developing countries of Asia and the Pacific and enhance capacity of WTO members of Asia-Pacific especially the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) on how to successfully negotiate the special and differential treatment provisions in the Doha Round.



The theme topic of the Escap's 71st Commission Session is "Balancing the Three Dimensions of Sustainable Development: From Integration to Implementation".



She emphasised that India's priority was bringing development to all its people which could be attained by providing access to affordable energy, housing, healthcare, basic services, education and decent employment and an enabling environment that bridged infrastructure gaps and led to economic growth and sustainable development pathways.



India has committed a USD 1 million contribution to the ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami and other Hazards for supporting capacity-building in early warning especially in South Asian countries, she said.