India, Australia hold COP31 talks in New Delhi on climate and clean energy
Synopsis
With COP31 on the horizon and Australia holding the presidency, New Delhi hosted back-to-back ministerial meetings on 23 September that covered green hydrogen, energy storage, and clean-energy supply chains. India signalled it would be a 'supportive partner' to Canberra at the Turkey negotiations — a diplomatic alignment that could shape the final COP31 outcome.
Key Takeaways
Bhupender Yadav and Pralhad Joshi separately met Australian Minister Chris Bowen in New Delhi on 23 September 2026 .
Discussions focused on agenda items for the Pre-COP meeting in Fiji and COP31 in Turkey .
Bowen is serving as President of the COP31 negotiations under the UNFCCC .
Energy talks covered renewable energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, grid integration , and clean-energy supply chains.
Australia and its businesses were invited to the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo in New Delhi, November 2026 .
Union Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav met Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen in New Delhi on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, with discussions centred on key agenda items for the upcoming Pre-COP meeting in Fiji and COP31 in Turkey. The bilateral engagement comes as Bowen serves concurrently as President of the COP31 negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Key Discussions at the Meeting
Yadav highlighted India's climate action track record under Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade, citing what he described as 'success stories' in the country's energy transition. He also reaffirmed India's support for Australia in its role as COP31 President.
'Happy to have met with Mr Chris Bowen, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy and President of the COP31 negotiations, in New Delhi today. We had an engaging discussion on key agenda items for the upcoming Pre-COP in Fiji and COP31 in Turkey,' Yadav said in a post on X.
Energy Sector Cooperation: What Was Covered
Separately, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi also held talks with Bowen, exploring ways to deepen the India-Australia energy partnership. The discussions spanned renewable energy, energy storage, grid integration, green hydrogen, clean-energy supply chains, and emerging technologies.
Joshi noted in a post on X that the two countries possess 'complementary strengths' and flagged 'immense potential to turn our shared commitment into practical partnerships that create opportunities for our people and industries.'
Invitation to Bharat Renewable Energy Summit
Joshi extended a formal invitation to Bowen and Australian businesses to attend the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo, scheduled to take place in New Delhi this November. The summit is expected to serve as a platform for translating bilateral commitments into commercial partnerships.
Why This Meeting Matters
The engagement arrives at a pivotal moment in global climate diplomacy, with both Pre-COP preparations and COP31 architecture still being negotiated. India, one of the world's largest energy consumers and a major force in the renewable build-out, and Australia, which holds the COP31 presidency, have a strategic interest in aligning their positions ahead of the Turkey conference. This is notably the second high-level climate exchange between the two nations in recent months, underscoring a warming in bilateral climate ties that extends beyond the traditional trade and security relationship.
Point of View
Not merely a participant. The inclusion of green hydrogen and supply chains alongside the climate agenda reveals that these talks are as much about commercial architecture as they are about emissions pledges. What remains to be seen is whether the warm bilateral rhetoric translates into concrete, jointly held positions at Turkey — particularly on finance for developing nations, where India and Australia have historically diverged. The Bharat Renewable Energy Summit invitation hints at a push to lock in Australian private capital before the COP31 spotlight shifts negotiations into high gear.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Indian ministers meet Australia's Chris Bowen in New Delhi?
The meetings on 23 September 2026 were focused on coordinating positions for the upcoming Pre-COP meeting in Fiji and COP31 in Turkey. Bowen is currently serving as President of the COP31 negotiations under the UNFCCC, making the engagement a key piece of India's pre-COP diplomatic outreach.
What energy areas did India and Australia discuss?
The two sides discussed renewable energy, energy storage, grid integration, green hydrogen, clean-energy supply chains, and emerging technologies. Minister Pralhad Joshi described India and Australia as having 'complementary strengths' with significant potential for practical commercial partnerships.
What is COP31 and where will it be held?
COP31 is the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled to be held in Turkey. Australia, under Minister Chris Bowen, holds the presidency of the negotiations.
What is the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo?
It is an upcoming renewable energy summit and expo to be held in New Delhi in November 2026. Minister Pralhad Joshi formally invited Chris Bowen and Australian businesses to participate, signalling intent to convert bilateral commitments into commercial deals.
How does this meeting fit into India's broader climate diplomacy?
India has been deepening bilateral climate engagements ahead of COP31, and receiving the COP31 President in New Delhi for substantive talks strengthens its role as a key voice in global climate negotiations. India reaffirmed its commitment to being a 'supportive partner' to Australia during the COP31 process.
