Did Hanuman lend a hand for Obama sweep?

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With the ushering in of a new presidential era with Barack Obama, the issue of global warming is expected to be a top priority of the new administration.

Cleantech will no doubt enter into the parlay, and solutions to the environmental and resource challenges that are faced will be given even more urgency, and that's expected to be good for India's cleantech community.

The Confederation of Indian Industries, which represents the voice of Indian business community, expects strong action from the U.S. on climate change negotiations. That would necessitate pressure to induce developing countries to accept mandatory emission cuts. It will be an interesting year ahead as many policy issues will be formed.

India's political leadership will have its first engagement with Obama in 10 days, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Washington D.C. for the G-20 economic summit convened by President Bush.

Indian media and public opinion say that Democrats are considered more proactive in addressing climate problems through through bilateral or multilateral agreements (Kyoto-like mechanisms). This could translate to Indian projects obtaining access to clean technology from the U.S.

The Obama-Biden ticket called for an investment of $150 billion in clean technology, primarily renewable energy projects, which in many cases are targeting the large markets of India and China.

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell has said the lack of access to safe, reliable water will reach unprecedented levels over the next 20 years, and 1.4 billion people in 36 countries are likely to face water shortages that will have a substantial impact on food production.

Within this context, there will be a greater need for resolution on a myriad of environmental and technology issues to stem the inevitable conflict arising from resource constraints.

By 2025, China is projected to be the second-largest economy. India is expected to grow to the second- or third-largest.

"Given the confluence of factors from a new global international system, increasing tension over natural resources, weapons proliferation ... we predict an increased likelihood for conflict," McConnell said at a recent intelligence conference, according to the text of a speech distributed by his office.