The recent launch of the revitalized US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) at the ministerial meeting of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and the US Ministry of Energy has drawn attention. This relaunch aligns with the US – India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership announced earlier in 2021 at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate.
US-India Agenda 2030 Partnership: Aiming for Stronger Cooperation
The primary goal of this partnership is to fortify bilateral cooperation on actions within the current decade to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The Partnership is divided into two principal segments: the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership and the Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue. Notably, India raised the India-US energy dialogue to a strategic energy partnership in 2018.
Revamped Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) and Its Core Pillars
The refreshed SCEP introduces a fifth Pillar focusing on Emerging Fuels or cleaner energy fuels. As a result, this governmental engagement now spans five pillars of cooperation – Power and Energy Efficiency, Responsible Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Growth, and Emerging Fuels. The partnership aims to assist India in its goal of installing 450GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The advent of a new India-U.S. Task Force on Biofuels was also disclosed.
A Look at the Reviewed India-US Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation
The Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement, originally signed in 2008, received a review. A significant aspect of the Deal saw India receiving a special waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), allowing the country to sign agreements with a dozen other nations.
Transformation of the Gas Task Force: A New Focus
The India-US Low Emissions Gas Task Force, formerly known as the Gas Task Force, will center its efforts on handling India’s natural gas policy and related technological and regulatory barriers. Its main objective is to promote efficient, market-driven solutions that cater to India’s growing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Institutionalization of India Energy Modeling Forum and Its Role
Six Task Forces were set up for conducting research and modeling in various areas. The focus areas will include Energy Data Management, Low Carbon Technologies, and Just Transition in the Coal Sector.
Expanded Scope of Partnership to Advance Clean Energy Initiative
The second phase of the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE)-R initiative, led on the Indian side by the Department of Science & Technology, agreed to incorporate smart grid and grid storage.
Recent Encounters in US-India Relations
Several recent developments have marked the US-India relations. These comprise the involvement of the Navies from Quad Nations (India, the United States, Japan, and Australia) in the 25th edition of the Malabar Exercise; the signing of a Project Agreement (PA) between India and the US to develop an Air-launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (ALUAV) or drones; the US administration showing disinterest in securing a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India; and the collaboration between NASA and ISRO on developing an SUV-sized satellite called NISAR.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024