India Calls for Deeper Energy Cooperation at BRICS Ministers’ Meet in Brazil

Brasília: India reinforced its commitment to global energy security and inclusive development at the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting held in Brasília, under the presidency of Brazil. Leading the Indian delegation, Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, emphasized the urgency of stronger BRICS collaboration to ensure equitable access to energy, economic stability, and sustainable growth for the Global South.

Addressing the gathering, Manohar Lal stated that energy security remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time, especially for developing nations. He praised Brazil’s leadership under the meeting’s theme, “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” and underscored the importance of cooperation among BRICS countries in achieving balanced energy transitions. He stressed that affordable, accessible, and secure energy is fundamental to advancing global development goals.

The Minister outlined India’s achievements in the energy sector, highlighting the country’s rapid growth in clean energy capacity. He noted that India’s electricity capacity has increased by 90 percent over the past decade, reaching 475 GW in 2025, with a goal of 900 GW by 2032. India has become the world’s third-largest producer of solar and wind energy and has made significant progress in adopting biofuels, achieving a 20 percent ethanol blending milestone. He also pointed to India’s large-scale investments in smart grids, advanced metering systems, and transmission infrastructure, including the Green Energy Corridor.

Manohar Lal shared India’s ambitious plans for green hydrogen and nuclear energy, including a target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047. He also announced the launch of a domestic Carbon Credit Market and invited global cooperation in this effort. He highlighted India’s role in the Global Biofuels Alliance and reaffirmed its commitment to energy efficiency through programs such as the Energy Conservation Sustainable Buildings Code, rooftop solar initiatives, and standards for energy-efficient appliances.

While emphasizing India’s commitment to clean energy, the Minister acknowledged the continuing role of fossil fuels in the global energy mix, particularly for developing countries. He urged the BRICS nations to collaborate in promoting cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels through emerging technologies like coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, and innovations in green chemicals.

In his concluding remarks, Manohar Lal invited all BRICS nations to participate in the next BRICS Energy Gathering, scheduled to be held in India in 2026. He reiterated India’s commitment to leading the energy transformation agenda for the Global South, with a focus on inclusive, technology-driven, and just energy transitions.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint communiqué by the BRICS Energy Ministers. The communiqué reaffirmed the group’s collective commitment to energy security and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, which focuses on universal access to electricity, clean cooking solutions, and the eradication of energy poverty. It emphasized the need for just, inclusive, and balanced energy transitions in response to climate change and recognized the continued role of fossil fuels, while stressing the importance of reducing emissions in a fair and technologically neutral manner.

The Ministers called for greater partnerships and the promotion of open, fair, and non-discriminatory international energy markets. They encouraged the use of local currencies in energy trade and welcomed the role of the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform in strengthening collaboration. The updated BRICS Roadmap for Energy Cooperation (2025–2030) was endorsed as a blueprint for deeper engagement.

The communiqué also underlined each country’s sovereign right to define its own energy transition path and pace, advocating for increased concessional and low-cost financing from developed nations to developing countries. The Ministers highlighted the role of the New Development Bank in financing sustainable energy infrastructure, especially through local currency mechanisms. They called for transparent and consistent guidelines for assessing carbon intensity, energy classifications, and mutual recognition of certifications.

Reaffirming energy security as essential to socio-economic development, the Ministers emphasized the need for market stability, resilient infrastructure, diversified energy sources, and secure supplies of critical minerals vital to clean energy technologies. They reiterated their goal to double energy efficiency by 2030 and committed to enhanced cooperation and knowledge sharing among BRICS countries, with a renewed resolve to elevate BRICS’ global energy presence under India’s chairship in 2026.