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India Nears Full IEA Membership, Boosting Global Energy Ties
20 Feb
Summary
- India's full membership in the International Energy Agency is in its final stages.
- IEA members agreed to expand cooperation on critical minerals and energy security.
- The US threatened to withdraw from the IEA over its climate change advocacy.
India's full membership in the International Energy Agency (IEA) is progressing rapidly, with the process now in its final stages, according to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. This development is part of a broader strategy to strengthen institutional ties with key energy-producing and consuming nations, including Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam.
The IEA ministerial meeting in Paris saw unanimous agreement to foster these deeper connections. This expansion is projected to increase the IEA family's share of global energy consumption to over 80%, a significant leap from less than 40% a decade ago. The agency aims to provide crucial insights to member governments for planning future energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
During the ministerial, members agreed to invite Brazil to commence the process of full membership. Vietnam was welcomed as an association country. Notably, the United States reportedly threatened to withdraw from the IEA, expressing dissatisfaction with the agency's climate change advocacy, although the ministerial's summary emphasized the IEA's core role in energy security through an all-fuels and all-technologies approach.
Ministers also endorsed expanding cooperation under the IEA Critical Minerals Security Programme. This initiative seeks to address rising risks in global critical mineral supply chains by enhancing data tools, collaborative exercises, and guidance on stockpiling to build resilience and diversify supply sources.
