India has launched four future-oriented initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership: the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Global Bio-fuel Alliance (GBA), Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI), and Coalition for Disaster Response Initiative (CDRI). Many countries across continents and regions have responded positively to these initiatives, while some are still considering their merits from the point of view of their national interests. This article examines and analyzes each of these initiatives, focusing on the response of countries in the Asian region and analyzing why some friendly countries are rather reticent about India’s initiatives.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased development of solar energy technologies. It was jointly launched by India and French President Francois Hollande on 30 November 2015 at the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris. The organization aims to promote solar energy and sustainable development through cooperation among solar-rich countries.
The ISA is guided by the ‘Towards 1000’ strategy, which aims to mobilize $1,000 billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030. The plan is to deliver energy access to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions, resulting in the installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity.
The ISA has nine programs focusing on four priority areas: Analytics and advocacy, Capacity Building, Programmatic Support, and Readiness and Enabling Activities, aiming to scale solar energy deployment and create a favorable environment for investments.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global initiative aimed at combating climate change. India contributed $27 million to build infrastructure and recurring expenditure for five years, but development countries have not responded generously to funding renewable energy projects in developing countries. India has additional responsibility to mobilize private finances and work with other bodies like the International Renewable Energy Agency and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership Madagascar.
On its first day, 16 countries signed the ISA, including India, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, Guinea, Mali, Nauru, Niger, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Burkino Faso, Bangladesh, and Madagascar. Subsequently, 107 countries joined the alliance, including major countries such as the US, Japan, Algeria, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, India, Argentina, and Australia.
The ISA has been joined by many other countries, raising the total membership to 106. However, there are still five members of the ASEAN grouping who are still allegedly examining the terms and conditions of the initiative. Only Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Brunei have joined, and China has stayed away.
India has strategic partnerships with some ASEAN member countries, aligning its policies with regional initiatives such as EAS and ADMM-Plus. Vietnam’s reluctance to join the ISA is regrettable.
The ISA was established to invite nations in the Torrid Zone, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, to join the alliance due to their high levels of sunlight, with India and Vietnam among the top five.
India hosted the Sixth Assembly of the ISA at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 31 October 2023, and Vietnam missed a significant opportunity to miss out. There is a persuasive argument that India and ASEAN must work together to ensure the success of the ISA and the transition to renewable energy sources.
The Global Bio-fuel Alliance (GBA) was launched by Prime Minister Modi and other leaders of countries like Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, US, Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius, and UAE on September 9, 2023. The GBA aims to expedite the global update of bio-fuels by facilitating technology advancements, intensifying sustainable bio-fuel usage, and shaping robust standard setting and certification. It will act as a central repository of knowledge and an expert hub, fostering global collaboration for the advancement and widespread adoption of bio-fuels.
As soon as PM Modi launched the GBA, 19 countries and 12 global bodies agreed to join, followed by three more. The alliance, which includes top producers Brazil and the US, will help accelerate global efforts to meet net zero emissions targets by facilitating trade in bio-fuels derived from sources including plant and animal waste.
India’s success in the GBA is significant as it is the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, importing 85% of its crude needs and gradually building capacity to increase its bio-fuel output. India has set a target to become carbon neutral by 2070 and expand its use of bio-fuels in the transport sector. Surprisingly, none of the ASEAN bloc members have joined the alliance, raising questions about whether Vietnam has started viewing its relations with India differently.
