2026

India’s Green Energy Diplomacy in South Asia: Prospects and Challenges for Regional Cooperation

Author(s): Loknath Haldar

Abstract

The global transition toward renewable energy has emerged as a central component of contemporary strategies for sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Growing concerns regarding environmental degradation, rising energy demand, and dependence on fossil fuels have encouraged countries across the world to adopt renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydropower. In this context, India has increasingly positioned itself as a significant actor in promoting green energy development both domestically and regionally. Over the past two decades, India has implemented several policy initiatives aimed at expanding renewable energy capacity and strengthening energy security. Major policy frameworks such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008), the National Solar Mission (2010), and the National Green Hydrogen Mission have significantly accelerated India’s renewable energy transition. Beyond domestic initiatives, India has also used renewable energy cooperation as an important instrument of regional diplomacy in South Asia. Through cross-border electricity trade, hydropower partnerships, and renewable energy projects with neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, India has sought to strengthen regional energy connectivity and promote sustainable development. South Asia remains one of the fastest-growing energy markets in the world, yet many countries in the region continue to face challenges related to electricity shortages, infrastructure limitations, and dependence on imported fossil fuels. This study examines the evolution of India’s green energy initiatives and their implications for regional cooperation in South Asia between 2005 and 2026. Using a qualitative and analytical research approach based on secondary data sources. The study argues that India’s green energy diplomacy has significant potential to enhance regional energy security and economic integration.