Sunshine Diplomacy: How India Built a Global Solar Powerhouse

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), a treaty-based international organization headquartered in India, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Launched in December 2015 during the Paris climate talks, the ISA was co-founded by India and France with the ambitious goal of boosting solar energy, particularly in developing countries, and mobilizing $1 trillion in solar power by 2030. Initially met with skepticism, the ISA has since proven to be a significant diplomatic achievement for India, establishing its leadership in climate-adjacent spaces.

India's success with the ISA is closely linked to its rapid expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. By leveraging its large domestic market and innovative procurement models, India drove down solar energy costs globally. The ISA was conceived as a 'market-making' mechanism to direct finance and technology to 'solar-rich' countries, particularly in the Global South, fostering a new geography of 'sunshine states' and demonstrating flexible multilateralism.

Ten years on, the ISA, alongside other India-led institutions like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance, positions India to lead in climate action implementation. These bespoke organizations exemplify a model where shared interests of the Global South are supported by the capabilities of the Global North and non-state actors, paving the way for tangible climate action and demanding greater accountability from developed nations.