Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Education and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi reaffirmed India's commitment towards advancing international solar cooperation and ensuring that the benefits of progress are shared equitably, while addressing media at a press conference during Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 here today.
The Union Minister highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India remained steadfast in its commitment to advancing international solar cooperation, guided by the vision of Power To Empower and the principle of One Sun, One World, One Grid. India has been elected President of International Solar Alliance (ISA) for the third consecutive term.
He recalled that this conviction had brought India and France together to establish the International Solar Alliance in 2015. Today, with 130 ISA Signatory and Member Countries, the vision has evolved into a powerful platform for international cooperation, particularly for the Global South.
BRE Summit & Expo 2026 was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 2nd November, 2026 and will conclude on 5th November, 2026. Shri Joshi stated that the discussions over the last two days and the following two days would reinforce a clear priority of moving from solar commitments to investments, from partnerships to projects, and from ambition to impact.
Highlighting the key priorities of the Alliance, the Minister emphasised the importance of financing solar deployment where it matters most. He stated that the USD 200 million Africa Solar Facility represented an important step towards unlocking investment in Africa's distributed renewable energy sector. India's commitment of around ₹225 crore (USD 25 million) reinforced its resolve to make affordable solar energy accessible to underserved communities. He further highlighted that the USD 300 million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy Fund offered a model for scaling this approach across the continent.
Emphasising the role of solar energy in transforming lives, Shri Joshi highlighted the importance of delivering solutions at scale. He stated that ISA-supported initiatives in Fiji, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles demonstrated how solar energy could strengthen livelihoods and climate resilience by powering healthcare facilities and schools, providing clean drinking water and supporting agricultural cold storage. He further informed that the Alliance was advancing aggregated solar and storage opportunities, beginning with Mauritius, to create scalable models for Small Island Developing States.
The Union Minister also highlighted the importance of empowering 3 million farmers through solar energy and expanding into Agri-PV. He stated that India's PM-KUSUM initiative demonstrated how solar-powered agriculture could reduce irrigation costs and create additional income opportunities. Through ISA, efforts were being undertaken to adapt this model across Member Countries, particularly in Africa, placing farmers at the centre of the energy transition.
On strengthening national capabilities, Shri Joshi highlighted the establishment of 17 Solar Technology Application Resource Centres, the Global Capability Centre–SHINE (Strategic Hub for Innovation and Execution) and the AI-enabled ISA Academy. He stated that the focus was on strengthening institutions, developing skills and harnessing emerging technologies to accelerate solar deployment.
Highlighting the growing importance of clean energy in the context of technological advancements, the Minister stated that as artificial intelligence reshaped economies, access to affordable, reliable and clean electricity would become an even greater strategic imperative.
Shri Joshi emphasised that the message from the Assembly was clear: the future of solar energy must be built through shared responsibility, sustained investment and collective action.
On behalf of the Government of India, he expressed sincere gratitude to all Member Countries for reposing their trust in India and electing it to the Presidency of the International Solar Alliance for a third consecutive term. He also congratulated France and its Minister on being re-elected as Co-President of ISA.
Concluding his address, Shri Joshi stated that as India began its new term, the focus would remain on mobilising investment, accelerating deployment and translating collective ambitions into tangible outcomes for communities and nations. He expressed gratitude to all Member Countries for their continued trust and partnership.
Present during the conference were Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary MNRE, Ashish Khanna, Director General, ISA, Mathieu Lefèvre, France Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition, Martin Lidegaard, Minister for Business and Competitiveness, Denmark, H.E. Mr. David Abiamofo, Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources, Suriname, H.E. Ms. Geralda Desaubin, Minister, Ministry of Industry and Enterprise, Seychelles and H.E. Mr. Muhammadu Arkam Ilyas, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy, Sri Lanka.