India’s progress is being halted by opponents of a landmark nuclear deal with the US that could significantly boost a sector vital to the country’s future, according to the head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“India has to expand its fuel choices,” said Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the IPCC, which this month shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore, former US vice-president. “I would like to see the [Indian] government not buckle under pressure of some of its supporters, like the Leftists.