The Ministry of External Affairs signed a Project Implementation Agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on Tuesday to move further toward clean energy. An official release said the agreement will help operationalize projects worth USD 2 million in solar energy in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles. The ISA will act as the Project Implementing Agency, with India providing financial support.

Part of India's commitment to driving the advancement of solar energy through the Quad Climate Working Group, the project stresses serious energy issues in these nations, which include unreliable healthcare facility electricity, irrigation deficits, and perishable produce. This is most significant in places with no or limited access to the grid or even reliable solar mini-grids.

These will be addressed through targeted solutions, such as cold storage systems, solar-powered healthcare facilities, and water pumping systems for agriculture.

The successful implementation of these solar initiatives is expected to bring the following benefits:

  • Improved energy access.
  • Enhanced reliability of power supply for essential services.
  • Job creation in the clean energy sector.

These initiatives will not only address energy issues but also help the region shift toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

After the deal, MEA Spokesman Randhir Jaiswal elaborated on India's commitment to renewables and just transitions for island states in the Indo-Pacific region. "The latest round of clean energy investments by India strengthens the Quad’s commitment to addressing climate change and facilitating a transition to a clean energy economy for the people, planet, and our shared prosperity," the MEA release stated.

This agreement marks another chapter in the Quad Climate Initiative to strengthen solar energy as a sustainable solution to combat climate challenges and enhance a brighter future for the Indo-Pacific region.