External affairs minister S M Krishna told world leaders that India continued to face enormous developmental challenges and poverty eradication remains the nation’s top priority.

“Nearly 200 millions live on less than one dollar a day and nearly 500 millions do not have access to modern sources of energy,” he said.

“Our overriding priority, therefore, has to be eradication of poverty for which we must address our energy poverty and use all sources of energy, including fossil fuels,” he added.

Via Times of India

A great statement from the minister. The numbers are mind boggling in terms of the sheer size of the problem.