Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, touted as India's second-most wealthy man, Tuesday said the rich must share wealth with the poor. He also pushed for a new development model for India to reduce disparities.

'India is definitely turning a new leaf though there are concerns on many fronts,' Ambani said, delivering the sixth Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) here.

'In the new developmental model, there is need for a comprehensive vision and some exemplary leadership so as to place higher income among the people. And in this, there is need to substantially involve the corporate sector,' he said.

'What India needs is not conflict but cooperation among all sections.'

On the energy front, he declined to be drawn into making any comments on the impact of the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation except to say 'noble metals is one solution for energy but renewable energy is another.'

However, he stressed on the need for largescale use of solar energy as in the 'next 20 years, it is going to transform the world. In the coming eight to ten months, we are setting up 30 pilot projects in Maharashtra.'

Making a strong case for his retail outlets, he said: 'Indian farmer bears the highest risks. So, by unleashing a genuine pro-farmer and pro-consumer retail, it would help both and put them in a win-win situation.'

As part of this, a brief film on the Reliance retail was screened for the jam-packed hall at the India Habitat Centre having interviews with farmers and consumers and the benefits of the retail outlets.

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