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India’s membership in the International Energy Agency

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April 23, 2017

Why in news?

India joined the ranks of the IEA’s membership as a “Member by Associate".

What is the history?

  • India had been engaging with the organisation long before the membership.
  • In 1998, India had signed the Declaration of Cooperation covering issues related to energy security and statistics.
  • Subsequently, it had signed three Joint Statements with the IEA covering various areas of mutual interest in the energy spectrum.
  • The priority area for co-operation had been in oil and gas security.
  • But before 2011, the Mo&PNG ministry had recommended that while India should collaborate with the IEA’s programmes through agreements and MoUs, it should not become a member of the organisation per se.
  • The rationale was that the cooperation with the IEA would allow India to maximise the strategic depth of its crude oil reserves, bring technical assistance but it would also come with a lot of obligations entailed by membership.

Why did India formally join the organisation?

  • With IEA’s growing role in combating climate change, it allows the promotion of clean energy technologies in some of the world’s largest carbon emitters.
  • It will provide India the geopolitical platform to take the lead in climate and energy issues.
  • It deepens the engagement with the IEA in achieving the ‘Power for All’ initiative.
  • It would also give India an opportunity to become the voice of the developing world. e.g. International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiative.
  • ISA provides it with a platform to position itself as a leader on the world energy and environment stage.
  • However, the success of the initiative will depend largely on the number of countries coming on board, collaboration with other multilateral bodies, including the UN, IEA, IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) as well as corporates and industry, among others.
  • Over 70% of the world's energy consumption comes under the IEA umbrella, so the association with the IEA will substantially increase India’s relevance in global energy governance.
  • IEA can encourage financial institutions to support India’s energy, particularly, its solar energy programme.

 

Source: IDSA

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