How is India Supporting Regional Solar Cooperation at the ISA Meeting?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India's commitment to regional solar cooperation is unwavering.
- ISA's role as a key facilitator for clean energy collaboration is vital.
- Achievements in renewable energy demonstrate collective ambition.
- Focus on SIDS and developing economies is essential for future growth.
- The signing of the Country Partnership Framework marks significant progress.
Colombo, July 17 (NationPress) On Thursday, India reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to enhancing regional solar cooperation during the seventh meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The gathering recognized ISA's influential role as a key organizer for clean energy collaboration.
Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, emphasized India's strong endorsement of ISA and its collaborative initiatives.
"India's journey in energy transition, highlighted by achieving 50 percent of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources five years ahead of schedule, showcases the power of collective ambition and decisive action," Jha remarked.
"The International Solar Alliance, which emerged from a shared vision between India and France, has transformed into a robust platform for promoting solar solutions, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and developing nations," he added.
The meeting also celebrated a significant achievement with the signing of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) between ISA and the Sri Lankan government.
Expressing optimism about this development, Jha stated: "As Sri Lanka progresses towards its goal of 70 percent renewable energy by 2030, we take pride in our expanding energy collaboration. Through ISA, we can illuminate not only homes but also futures—together, harnessing the shared power of the sun."
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya called for enhanced regional collaboration, equitable access to technology, and focused assistance for SIDS and lower-middle-income countries.
"We appreciate ISA's initiatives to broaden the Global Solar Facility and advocate for a targeted approach for SIDS and lower-middle-income nations in this region," she stated.
"These nations encounter high costs, limited land, and grid challenges—but they also possess remarkable potential in decentralized solar and storage solutions. Sri Lanka supports ISA's four strategic pillars and is working to develop a STAR Centre in Colombo as a regional hub for solar training and research," Amarasuriya added.
The ISA is a global initiative launched in 2015 by India and France at the COP21 summit in Paris to promote solar energy.