Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 27 June articulated India's ambition to position the Global South at the core of a secure, resilient, equitable and sustainable global energy future under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. The statement came as Modi shared an article authored by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on social media platform X, underscoring New Delhi's intent to translate multilateral energy cooperation into concrete outcomes for developing economies.

What Modi Said

'As India takes up the BRICS Chairship in 2026, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar writes that India seeks to place the Global South at the centre of a secure, resilient, equitable and sustainable global energy future,' Modi said while sharing the piece. He added that resilient energy systems are built not only through strong domestic policies but also through stronger international partnerships — a framing that positions India as a bridge-builder rather than a rule-taker in global energy governance.

Khattar's Vision for BRICS Energy Cooperation

In his article, Khattar described the global energy landscape as undergoing rapid transformation, making cooperation and innovation critical for developing economies seeking to balance economic growth, energy security and sustainability. He said India would use the BRICS platform to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies in areas including energy access, clean energy transition, and technology and innovation. The minister argued that the complementary strengths of BRICS nations can collectively advance the interests of the Global South through deeper international partnerships.

India's Domestic Energy Milestones

Khattar highlighted several domestic achievements that bolster India's credibility as a BRICS energy leader. Notably, India has crossed 50 per cent installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, surpassing its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target ahead of schedule. The country has also expanded electricity access significantly and scaled up renewable energy capacity across solar, wind and hydro segments.

Key Initiatives Underlined

Beyond renewables, the minister pointed to a broader energy security agenda encompassing coal gasification, green hydrogen, electric mobility and expansion of the national transmission network. Digital modernisation — through smart meters and the India Energy Stack — was also highlighted as a driver of efficiency and transparency in the power sector. This comes amid growing global pressure on emerging economies to accelerate decarbonisation without compromising energy access or economic momentum.

What This Means for BRICS and the Global South

India's BRICS Chairship offers New Delhi a strategic window to shape the multilateral energy narrative at a time when the Global South is increasingly asserting its right to a just energy transition — one that does not impose the same timelines or trade-offs that developed nations, which industrialised on fossil fuels, now demand. Analysts note that India's record on renewable scale-up lends it unusual credibility in this space. The outcomes of the BRICS energy agenda under India's stewardship are expected to inform India's positions at upcoming multilateral climate and energy forums.