India has called for scaling up regional cooperation in the SAARC region to meet its growing energy demand. Addressing a function in New Delhi on Thursday, Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs Sudhir Vyas said that the demand for energy in India will increase as New Delhi aims to sustain 8 to 9 percent growth.

Mr. Vyas said that a lot of steps are being taken at the bilateral level but it needs to be scaled up to the regional level. He added that the country's energy demand will drive the formation of the SAARC energy grid.

Speaking on the occasion Chairman of the Integrated Research and Action for Development institute, IRADE Dr Kirit Parikh emphasized that a competitive electricity sector with independent regulators is imperative to meet the goals of power to all and poverty alleviation. Dr Parikh added that private sector participation is also important to meet the set targets.