India-Led International Solar Alliance Expands to 116 Members as Bahamas Joins

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), a global initiative jointly established by India and France to accelerate solar energy deployment, has expanded its membership to 116 countries following the formal accession of the Bahamas. The development marks another milestone in the alliance’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation in renewable energy, particularly among developing economies and small island nations seeking affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity.

The Bahamas formally joined the alliance during the Ninth Session of the ISA Assembly in New Delhi. The country’s High Commissioner to India, Peter Nicholas Symonette Jr., handed over the Instrument of Accession to the ISA Framework Agreement to P. S. Gangadhar, Joint Secretary for Economic Diplomacy and Head of Depository. The accession reinforces the expanding geographical reach of the India-led initiative and highlights the growing importance of solar energy cooperation in international development partnerships.

Bahamas Joins Global Solar Cooperation Framework

The accession of the Bahamas strengthens the International Solar Alliance’s engagement with Caribbean nations and Small Island Developing States, where energy security and climate resilience are important national priorities. Many island economies depend heavily on imported petroleum products for electricity generation, exposing them to international fuel price fluctuations and supply disruptions.

Solar energy offers these countries opportunities to diversify electricity generation, reduce dependence on imported fuels and develop more resilient energy infrastructure. The combination of abundant sunlight and advancing solar technologies makes renewable electricity particularly relevant to island nations seeking sustainable alternatives to conventional energy sources.

Membership in the International Solar Alliance provides the Bahamas with access to a multilateral platform dedicated to expanding solar energy deployment through international cooperation, technical assistance, capacity building and investment mobilisation. The alliance also facilitates exchanges of experience among member countries on renewable energy policies, project development, technological innovation and financing mechanisms.

For the Bahamas, participation creates opportunities to engage with governments, international institutions and renewable energy stakeholders working to accelerate the adoption of solar power. Such cooperation complements broader efforts by island nations to strengthen energy independence and develop infrastructure capable of supporting long-term economic and environmental resilience.

India and France’s Solar Initiative Expands Its Global Reach

The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by India and France during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21, in Paris in November 2015. Conceived as a platform for collective action, the initiative sought to bring countries together to address the financial, technological and institutional challenges associated with expanding solar energy deployment.

Headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, the alliance has evolved into an international intergovernmental organisation supporting cooperation across solar energy financing, technology development, research, capacity building and policy coordination. Its activities increasingly extend beyond countries located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, reflecting the global relevance of solar energy.

India has played a central role in the development of the alliance, promoting cooperation between countries with substantial solar resources and those seeking to expand renewable energy capacity. The initiative reflects India’s emphasis on sharing technological expertise, facilitating development partnerships and encouraging wider access to affordable clean energy solutions.

The alliance also serves as an important platform for cooperation among countries of the Global South. By connecting governments, financial institutions, technology providers and development organisations, it seeks to address common challenges involving project financing, infrastructure development, technical expertise and renewable energy adoption.

Solar Financing and Technology Cooperation Drive ISA Initiatives

Mobilising affordable financing remains a major priority for the International Solar Alliance, particularly in developing countries where renewable energy projects frequently encounter difficulties accessing long-term investment. The alliance works to encourage international financial cooperation, reduce investment barriers and facilitate the development of commercially viable solar projects.

Its initiatives include efforts to expand decentralised solar power systems, support electricity access in underserved communities and encourage the deployment of renewable energy technologies suited to local requirements. These programmes are especially relevant to regions where conventional electricity infrastructure remains expensive to develop or where geographical conditions create challenges for reliable power distribution.

The ISA has also expanded its focus on institutional capacity building, technical knowledge exchanges and the development of renewable energy ecosystems. Cooperation involving solar technology, digital infrastructure, workforce development and project implementation can support countries seeking to establish sustainable domestic energy industries.

For Small Island Developing States, these mechanisms offer opportunities to explore distributed solar installations, energy storage systems and resilient electricity networks. Such technologies can contribute to more reliable electricity supplies while reducing exposure to imported fossil fuels and associated price volatility.

Ninth ISA Assembly Highlights India’s Renewable Energy Diplomacy

The Bahamas’ accession took place alongside the Ninth Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly in New Delhi, held in conjunction with the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026. The international gathering brought together government representatives, renewable energy stakeholders and development partners to examine opportunities for expanding investment, technology cooperation and clean energy deployment.

During the assembly, India was re-elected to the presidency of the International Solar Alliance for a third consecutive term, while France was also re-elected as Co-President. The continued leadership of the two founding countries reflects their role in maintaining the institutional framework and advancing the alliance’s international programmes.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi highlighted the importance of translating renewable energy commitments into practical projects, strengthening financing mechanisms and accelerating deployment in developing economies. The alliance’s priorities include mobilising investment, improving access to solar technologies and supporting countries in developing the institutional capabilities required for renewable energy expansion.

The assembly also provided an international platform for discussing cooperation across renewable energy infrastructure, technological innovation and project financing. The participation of countries from different geographical regions demonstrates the increasingly global character of solar energy development and its importance to economic growth, energy security and sustainable infrastructure.

India’s Clean Energy Leadership Strengthens International Partnerships

India’s leadership within the International Solar Alliance complements its domestic efforts to expand renewable electricity generation, strengthen solar manufacturing and improve energy infrastructure. The country’s experience in deploying large-scale solar installations, encouraging distributed generation and developing renewable energy policies provides a foundation for cooperation with international partners.

India’s growing solar manufacturing industry also presents opportunities for industrial engagement involving photovoltaic modules, solar cells, power electronics, engineering services and associated technologies. International partnerships can encourage the exchange of technical expertise while supporting the development of renewable energy supply chains across participating countries.

For developing nations, cooperation through the ISA offers access to knowledge and partnerships that can help translate renewable energy ambitions into practical infrastructure programmes. The initiative connects solar deployment with broader development objectives involving electricity access, industrial growth, technological capability and energy resilience.

The Bahamas’ accession as the 116th member strengthens the alliance’s presence in the Caribbean and reinforces the importance of including Small Island Developing States in international renewable energy cooperation. As the ISA expands its engagement across regions, the India-France initiative continues to provide a common platform for advancing solar technologies, mobilising investment and supporting the global transition towards sustainable energy systems.

---