The International Solar Alliance (ISA) under your leadership is organizing the first-ever International Solar Festival. Could you talk us through your own vision of this Festival?

The inaugural edition of the International Solar Festival will unite communities, policymakers, and the private sector for solar advocacy. The broad agenda of the festival has two main goals. First, to discuss how solar energy benefits people, making it a part of their everyday lives. The second goal is to promote cross-fertilization of best practices between communities and groups.

The festival will bring together stakeholders from around the globe on a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and international cooperation in solar initiatives, emphasizing youth engagement and fostering partnerships. It will celebrate achievements in solar, foster collaboration among diverse industry stakeholders, attract private-sector investments, and advocate for policies that accelerate the transition towards a sustainable, solar-powered future on a global scale. It will strengthen support for innovative financing, technology deployment, capacity building, and technical assistance. Through these efforts, the festival will foster alignment among businesses, policymakers, international financial institutions, and create conducive conditions for impactful global partnerships.

As Director General of the ISA, what is your long-term vision for both India, and the world?

My overarching vision for India and the world is to harness the transformative power of solar energy to drive global sustainable development and energy equity. India’s recent 282% increase in solar capacity exemplifies how ambition and political will can spark immense progress and attract global investment. This achievement shows that even nations with significant challenges can advance rapidly towards a sustainable future with vision and commitment. Against this backdrop, my vision for India is to help continue this momentum, positioning the country as a global leader in solar innovation and clean energy investment. By further developing our solar infrastructure and fostering new technologies, we aim to achieve our ambitious clean energy goals and set a model for others to follow.

Globally, my goal is to ensure that the success of solar energy in India translates into broader benefits for developing countries and supports the global energy transition. This involves creating robust mechanisms to attract commercial investments in renewable energy and empowering communities, including youth and women, to become active participants and leaders in the solar sector. Our approach must involve engaging local communities and the private sector, integrating their needs and contributions into our strategies. By showcasing successful solar initiatives and facilitating focused discussions on funding and implementation, we can turn these conversations into actionable progress and drive forward a more sustainable and equitable energy future for all.

You’ve seen the ISA grow into one of the leading and most significant environmental and climate change advocacy organizations in the world. Could you let us know how this organization has evolved with changing times, and pressing demands for renewable energy?

As a global intergovernmental organization, the ISA is committed to advancing solar power as a key solution to the climate challenge. Since our establishment in 2015, we have supported member countries in accelerating solar deployment through policy advice, standardization, and investment mobilization. We have pioneered innovative business models and policy frameworks aimed at promoting affordable solar solutions and providing access to solar training and data.

Today, the world is pursuing ambitious sustainability goals, with renewable energy—particularly solar power—emerging as crucial for enhancing energy security and addressing climate change, the ISA continues to play a pivotal role in driving global solar energy solutions. We collaborate with diverse stakeholders to foster meaningful change.

Our focus on enabling equitable, people-centric development through accelerated low-carbon energy growth has helped us recognize that different economies will transition at varying paces due to their unique socio-economic conditions. Based on this, the ISA has identified four primary archetypes: High-Income Countries, Emerging Economies, Low-Income Countries, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In partnership with our member nations, we aim to deploy innovative financial instruments, promote decentralized technologies like floating solar and storage systems, and create supportive green policy environments tailored to the adoption maturity of various economies.