Relevance: GS II (Global Groupings) & GS III (Energy Security)

Source: The Hindu 

1. The Human Context: Walking Away from the Table

On January 7, 2026, the United States abruptly announced it was leaving the International Solar Alliance (ISA). This was part of a larger move to exit 66 global organizations.

  • The Reality Check: Financially, this means little. The US contributed only about 1% of the ISA’s budget (approx. $2 million).
  • The Real Damage: The hit is psychological, not financial. The ISA relies on the “trust” that comes from having superpowers at the table. When the world’s biggest economy walks away, it sends a signal to global banks that solar projects in poor nations might be risky investments.

2. India’s Resilience (The “Solar Shield”)

India, the co-parent of the ISA, remains largely unaffected.

  • Self-Reliance: Unlike a decade ago, India no longer depends on the US for solar technology. By late 2025, India had built a massive domestic manufacturing capacity of 144 GW for solar modules.
  • The Shield: Most Indian solar projects are backed by the Indian government and state utilities. The US exit does not break our supply chain or stop our sun from shining.

3. The Real Victims: The Global South

The pain will be felt most by the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Africa and Asia.

  • The Struggle: These nations joined the ISA hoping that US backing would help them get cheap loans for solar power.
  • The Fear: Without the US, the global consensus fractures. It becomes much harder for these smaller nations to convince investors to give them the $1 Trillion needed to switch from coal to solar by 2030.

UPSC Value Box

Concept / Initiative Relevance for Prelims
International Solar Alliance (ISA) Launched jointly by India and France in 2015 (at the Paris Climate Summit). It is the first international intergovernmental organization headquartered in India (Gurugram).
“Towards 1000” Strategy The ISA’s golden target for 2030: Mobilize $1,000 Billion in investments + Install 1,000 GW of solar capacity + Provide energy access to 1,000 Million people.
OSOWOG “One Sun, One World, One Grid”: India’s vision to connect energy grids across borders, allowing solar power generated in one time zone to light up homes in another.

Q. With reference to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), consider the following statements:

  1. It was jointly launched by India and the United States on the sidelines of the COP21 Paris Agreement.
  2. It is the first treaty-based international intergovernmental organization to be headquartered in India.
  3. The “One Sun One World One Grid” (OSOWOG) is a key strategic initiative under the ISA.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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