India is building solid groundwork to become a global center for hydrogen technology innovation, production, and deployment, according to Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik on Friday.

Speaking at the closing session of the first Green Hydrogen R&D Conference in the nation’s capital, he stated that India wants to lead the world in this crucial clean energy sector in addition to being a consumer through the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched.

“Green hydrogen, a fuel that promises to decarbonize our hardest-to-abate sectors, open new trade frontiers, and create a cleaner and more secure future, lies at the heart of this journey,” he stated.

The Prime Minister’s National Green Hydrogen Mission is helping the government create the groundwork for India to become a global center for hydrogen technology research, production, and deployment, not merely a consumer, the MoS continued.

Green hydrogen is essential to India’s goal of reaching Net Zero by 2070, Naik emphasized.

According to him, the fuel could decarbonize hard industries like steel, cement, fertilizer, shipping, and mobility in addition to generating jobs, lowering reliance on imports, and boosting the competitiveness of Indian companies internationally.

He went on to say that India’s leadership in hydrogen will guarantee that its businesses stay prepared for the future as nations implement carbon limits.

Over 200 R&D initiatives in fuel cells, hydrogen, renewable energy, and storage technologies have already received government backing, the minister said, and Indian researchers and entrepreneurs are turning ideas into innovations with the aid of specialized funding, testing facilities, and incubation programs.

He urged young researchers to create revolutionary solutions rather than gradual change, saying, “This conference is a testament to our resolve to turn laboratories into launchpads and startups into global champions.”

1,347 people registered for the two-day event, which was organized by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It included eight roundtable meetings, five panel discussions, and seventeen technical presentations.

Advanced hydrogen technologies created in India were also on display at a startup event.