NEW DELHI: In what may be a strong signal of its approach towards future climate deal, India on Monday called for a "paradigm shift" in global attitude towards climate change and urged nations of high solar potential to join hands so that they can provide low-cost clean energy to their citizens without being arm-twisted by rich nations who have been closely guarding their patented cutting-edge technology.

The change of attitude which India pitched for will see the shift from "carbon credit" through emission cut (mitigation) to "green credit" through adopting energy efficient measures and investment in renewable sector (solar, wind and biomass) in a big way.

Indian stand was articulated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing senior ministers of his cabinet and experts from outside and within the government during first meeting of his reconstituted Council on Climate Change.

Calling for a paradigm shift in global attitudes towards climate change from "carbon credit" to "green credit", Modi said instead of focusing on emissions and cuts (mitigation) alone, focus should shift on what we have done for clean energy generation, energy conservation and energy efficiency, and what more can be done in these areas.

It clearly signals that the stand will guide India in coming out with its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) in June. Under the INDCs, all countries are expected to announce their intended goals of adaptation and mitigation (emission cut) measures based on their respective capabilities.

It is expected that India, in its INDC, will focus more on its renewable energy goal and its emphasis on efficient use of energy. The targets through INDCs by all countries will be the basis of a global climate deal which is expected to be signed in Paris in December.

The Prime Minister during the meeting also called for a careful evaluation of all the initiatives that have been taken by India in its preparation towards meeting the challenge of climate change. It includes initiatives in solar energy, wind energy, biomass energy and public transportation projects that have reduced distances or travel times.

Pitching for a "consortium of all nations who have the greatest solar energy potential", Modi urged them to "join hands with India for innovation and cutting-edge research that would reduce the cost of solar energy, making it more accessible to people".

The move to have such "consortium" is expected to benefit such nations having solar potential as they can together act as a pressure group to get the rich nations listen to the demands of their poor counterparts in terms of financial support and technology transfer.

It is believed that the rich nations cannot benefit from their patented technology if they don't heed to the demands of buyers (consortium of sunshine countries). The consortium of that kind may work for for the benefit of developing countries like India.

The Prime Minister's remarks made ahead of the US President Barack Obama's visit assume significance as it also indicated how India would approach the climate change issue which is also one of key agenda points of the Indo-US dialogue.

India's renewable energy goal and need for big investment to achieve it were discussed in the meeting which was attended by senior ministers including Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Prakash Javadekar, Piyush Goyal, Uma Bharti and Radha Mohan Singh and experts including TERI chief R K Pachauri and retired IAS officer and veteran climate negotiator J M Mauskar of the 18-member Council.

The renewable energy issues, discussed in the meeting, will be the key point which would guide India's approach towards getting concession from the US during Obama visit. India is expected to pitch for 'Clean Energy Finance Forum' to promote investment and trade in renewable energy (solar and wind) projects and strengthening 'Indo-US Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) among other issues during Modi-Obama meet.

"I think this (first meeting of the Council) was a good start. I hope further interactions will happen ...We discussed on wide range of subjects. ...Members also gave suggestions," environment minister Prakash Javadekar said after the meeting.

He said, "The Prime Minister guided the deliberations and said India should look to this problem as an opportunity to act more vigorously and at the same time project the country's contribution effectively to the world".

The Prime Minister during the meeting also emphasized on India`s "sanskar" (traditions) and "soch" (thinking), where "prakriti prem" (love of nature) was imbibed among people from childhood. He recalled his meeting with leaders of Pacific island nations in Fiji in November 2014, and the apprehension they had over the issue of climate change.

It is expected that Indian representatives will go to Geneva for next round of climate conference with the same approach in February.