India will have to rely on coal power until it becomes a developed country, given its top priority is to be committed to meeting the energy needs of its people, said Bhupender Yadav, the Union Environment Minister, on December 19.

The minister also said India resisted pressure from developed countries to end the use of fossil fuels at the UN climate conference.

"While we are increasing our renewable capacity, we will also have to rely on coal power until we achieve the objective of a developed India," he said.

About 70% of India's power generation replies on coal and aims to add 17 GW of coal-based power generation capacity in the next 16 months.