Union Minister Pralhad Joshi recently declared India’s experience with its leading solar initiatives, PM Surya Garh and PM Kusum, as “excellent.” During an interaction on the sidelines of the eighth International Solar Alliance (ISA) assembly, the Minister expressed India’s eagerness to share its hard-earned expertise and valuable insights in the solar sector with countries globally.
His statements came as he addressed questions regarding the significant impact of India’s domestic solar energy programs. New Delhi has been actively exploring opportunities to introduce the PM-Kusum (Krishi Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) and PM Surya Ghar Yojana to various African countries and island nations. These programs hold particular promise for Africa, a continent that currently irrigates only 4% of its arable land due to persistent rural power deficits.
“We are fully prepared to share our specialized knowledge and practical experiences,” Joshi affirmed. He added that the government is also actively supporting the ISA’s mission to expand its reach and influence among its global member countries. Highlighting the tangible progress, Mr. Joshi reported that over 1 million solar rooftops have already been installed, with an additional 2.1 million nearing completion under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, firmly establishing them as “among the most successful programs” in the renewable energy landscape.
Potential Partnerships: China, Russia, and the Solar Alliance
When asked about China’s potential membership in the solar energy alliance, Ashish Khanna, Director General of the ISA, indicated an “open” policy towards Beijing’s participation.
Khanna stressed the strategic importance of such an alliance, stating, “The decision now rests with China. We believe that if the ISA could include China, it would effectively cover 90% of the entire global solar market, and we would welcome them wholeheartedly.” He extended the same principle to Russia’s potential involvement in the alliance.
He further elaborated, “With India set to hold the BRICS presidency next year, a collaborative focus on solar energy could indeed drive a transformative agenda, given the international market dynamics.”
The ISA, a groundbreaking collaborative initiative between India and France, was initially conceptualized during the 21st U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris back in 2015. Its primary goal is to synchronize efforts in the realm of solar energy to effectively combat climate change. Despite prior indications and discussions, both Beijing and Moscow have not yet joined the alliance, primarily due to prevailing geopolitical considerations.
Addressing a query about exploring renewable energy as a new area of cooperation between Russia and India, Minister Joshi responded, “We already maintain a historic strategic partnership with Russia.” He confidently added, “Regarding solar energy or any form of renewable energy, we see absolutely no obstacle to collaborating with any country, including Russia.”