<div><strong>Simar Singh</strong></div><div> </div><div>At the India-Africa Forum Summit that is set to kick off on the upcoming Monday (26 October), Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to announce a global alliance of 110 countries to promote the adoption of solar power to address growing energy needs climate change concerns.</div><div> </div><div>The summit which will be held in the Capital’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium will see participation from all 54 members of the African Union including, at least, 41 countries engaging at the level of president, vice president, prime minister and king.</div><div> </div><div>Reportedly, this global alliance is to be known as the International Agency for Solar Power and Application and will be expected to do business worth $100 billion by 2020.</div><div> </div><div>This alliance will be in sync with policy trends in both India as well as Africa. Under the Modi administration’s aegis, there has been a drive to promote the nationwide increase in solar power capacities.</div><div> </div><div>African nations, too, have been moving in a similar direction. Most recently, politicians from 14 African nations joined hands with former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Virgin head Richard Branson to launch a global campaign with aims to bring solar energy to 620 million people across the continent who still have little or no access to electricity.</div><div> </div><div>PM Modi had previously pitched the idea of such a global alliance earlier this year. At the time, it found support from China, Australia, Brazil, New Zeland and African countries. </div><div> </div><div>This initiative is also a part of the climate change agenda which was submitted by New Delhi to the United Nations ahead of the Paris Climate Change Conference which will be held in December. India has pledged to fulfil at least 40 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable and low-carbon-emitting sources by 2030.</div><div> </div><div>With costs associated with solar energy installations sharply dropping and access to related technology becoming easier, India is likely to provide a platform for developing countries to share knowledge and other resources related to this.</div><div> </div><div>For a long time, one of the biggest issues that have plagued global climate talks, pitting developing and developed countries against each other is the reluctance of the latter to transfer clearer energy know-how at lower costs.</div><div> </div><div>A collaborative of this nature could be good for Indian businesses and will help strengthen India’s bilateral and multilateral relationship with African nations.</div><div> </div><div> </div>
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