In New Delhi, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, with energy security emerging as the central pillar of discussions aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations. The meeting, held against a backdrop of global energy market volatility and accelerating climate commitments, underscored a shared resolve to diversify supply chains and accelerate clean energy deployment.
Rubio, whose visit marks a concerted effort to recalibrate US-India ties, emphasised the need for "reliable and sustainable energy sources" to drive economic growth without exacerbating the climate crisis. Modi, for his part, reiterated India's ambitious targets: 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. But the path to these goals remains fraught with challenges. India, the world's third-largest energy consumer, still relies on coal for nearly 70% of its electricity generation. The country's burgeoning demand, fuelled by a population of 1.4 billion and a rapidly expanding economy, means that every gigaton of carbon saved is a victory against global warming.
The joint statement released after the talks highlighted a "clean energy partnership" focusing on solar, wind, and green hydrogen. The United States has pledged technical expertise and investment, while India offers a massive market and manufacturing base. This is not charity; it is a strategic alignment. For Washington, deepening ties with New Delhi is a hedge against China's dominance in critical mineral supply chains, particularly for rare earths used in batteries and wind turbines. For India, American technology and capital are crucial to leapfrog the carbon-intensive development path the West took.
Yet the elephant in the room remains fossil fuels. India's oil imports, which account for over 80% of its consumption, have been a source of vulnerability, especially with the recent price spikes triggered by geopolitical tensions. Rubio's visit came days after OPEC+ cuts, which have hit import-dependent nations hard. The US is now India's second-largest oil supplier, and both sides discussed expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from American terminals. This is a pragmatic step: natural gas, while still a fossil fuel, emits half the carbon of coal when burned. For India, it offers a bridge to a greener future, albeit one that must be temporary.
The meeting also touched on climate finance. India has long argued that developed countries must provide $1 trillion annually by 2030 to help developing nations decarbonize. Rubio did not make new commitments but reiterated the US's support for the just energy transition partnership model, which has already mobilised billions for coal-dependent economies like South Africa and Indonesia. Whether this will be enough remains uncertain. The International Energy Agency estimates that India needs $150 billion annually in clean energy investment by 2030, roughly four times the current level.
Climate scientists, including myself, watch these high-level talks with a mix of hope and impatience. The planet has already warmed 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Every year of delayed action locks in more extreme weather, from heatwaves in Delhi to hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. The Rubio-Modi meeting is a step forward; the rhetoric is aligned with the science. But the real test will be in the execution: building solar farms at breakneck speed, reforming electricity markets to favour renewables, and phasing out coal subsidies. The biosphere does not negotiate; it only responds to physical reality.
For now, the streets of Delhi are choked with smog, a visceral reminder of the transition's urgency. Rubio's visit may strengthen the alliance, but it is the next decade of hard, data-driven decisions that will determine if we can bend the emissions curve. As I always say: the numbers do not lie, and they are running out.
