India Champions Inclusive Energy Governance at BRICS Meet in Brazil

GG News Bureau
Brasília, 20th May: India made a compelling call for inclusive, just, and sustainable energy transitions at the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting held in Brazil on May 19. Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, led the Indian delegation and underscored the importance of energy security, equitable access, and international cooperation amid growing global energy challenges.

During the high-level gathering under Brazil’s BRICS Presidency, the Indian Minister lauded the theme — “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance” — and emphasized the need for stronger intra-BRICS partnerships to ensure economic stability and sustainable development.

Highlighting India’s strides in clean energy, Shri Manohar Lal showcased major achievements, including:

• A 90% increase in electricity capacity in the past decade, reaching 475 GW in 2025 and targeting 900 GW by 2032.
• Emergence as the world’s third-largest solar and wind energy producer.
• Attainment of a 20% ethanol blending milestone and promotion of biofuels via the Global Biofuels Alliance.
• Ambitious targets in green hydrogen and nuclear power, aiming for 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
• Launch of India’s domestic Carbon Credit Market with an open invitation for global cooperation.

The Minister also stressed the importance of fossil fuels in developing economies and advocated cleaner, more efficient technologies like coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, and green chemical innovation.

Reaffirming India’s leadership role, Shri Manohar Lal invited BRICS nations to the next Energy Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for 2026 in India.

Key Outcomes of BRICS Energy Communiqué

The joint communiqué adopted at the summit emphasized:

• Strengthening energy security and advancing UN SDG 7, focusing on universal access and poverty reduction.
• Recognition of each nation’s sovereign right to define its energy transition path.
• Support for local currency usage in energy trade and a call for non-discriminatory international energy markets.
• Backing for concessional financing from developed countries and greater funding from the New Development Bank.
• Emphasis on resilient infrastructure, energy efficiency, critical minerals, and technology neutrality.
• Agreement to double energy efficiency across BRICS countries by 2030 and expand collaboration through knowledge sharing and research.

The ministers also endorsed the updated BRICS Roadmap for Energy Cooperation (2025–2030) and stressed the role of the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform in facilitating deeper ties.

With India set to assume the BRICS energy chairmanship in 2026, the country reaffirmed its vision to lead global energy transformation and ensure that the voice of the Global South remains central to global policy discussions.