New Delhi: Annual carbon emissions from India’s power sector are now equivalent to the total emissions of the entire European Union. It is in this context that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today, with energy cooperation dominating the agenda. The meeting signals a potential shift in how the world’s largest democracies approach the shared challenge of decarbonisation.
Rubio’s visit comes at a time when India’s energy demand is projected to grow by over 50% by 2030, driven by industrial expansion and rising urbanisation. The country currently relies on coal for nearly 70% of its electricity generation. In contrast, the United States has reduced its coal share to about 20% through a combination of natural gas, renewables, and policy incentives. The disparity highlights both the scale of India’s challenge and the opportunity for technological collaboration.
The discussions reportedly centred on three key areas: critical mineral supply chains, nuclear energy cooperation, and green hydrogen development. India holds significant reserves of rare earth elements essential for wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries. The US, through its Inflation Reduction Act, is seeking to diversify supply chains away from China. A joint statement following the meeting indicated that both nations agreed to establish a working group on critical minerals to enhance exploration and processing capabilities.
Nuclear energy, often sidelined in global climate talks, received notable attention. India operates 22 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 6.8 GW, less than 2% of its total electricity mix. The US has offered advanced small modular reactor technology, which could be deployed more rapidly than conventional plants. However, liability laws in India have historically hindered foreign investment in nuclear projects. Sources close to the delegation suggest that a bilateral agreement to address these legal hurdles is under active consideration.
Green hydrogen was another focal point. India aims to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, a target that requires massive electrolyser deployment. US companies, including Plug Power and Cummins, have already announced plans to set up manufacturing units in India. A memorandum of understanding on hydrogen research was signed between the US Department of Energy and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Behind the diplomatic language, the confrontation with the biosphere remains the underlying driver. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has repeatedly warned that global emissions must peak before 2025 to keep warming below 1.5°C. India, as the third-largest emitter, holds a disproportionate influence on that timeline. Yet its per capita emissions remain below the global average. The Rubio-Modi talks reflect an unspoken truth: industrialised nations must transfer both technology and capital if developing economies are to leapfrog fossil fuels.
The meeting also touched on methane abatement. India’s agricultural sector contributes significantly to methane emissions through rice paddies and livestock. The US has proposed satellite monitoring systems to identify high-emission zones. Such measures align with India’s own goal of reducing emissions intensity by 45% by 2030.
Whether this meeting translates into actionable projects remains uncertain. Previous India-US climate partnerships, such as the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership, have faced bureaucratic delays. But the sheer velocity of climate disruptions now demands acceleration. The planet’s energy system is being rebuilt in real time. Diplomatic meetings like this are the scaffolding for that transformation.
As I file this report from New Delhi, the temperature is 38°C, an April record for this region. The physics of the atmosphere does not pause for diplomacy. The decisions made today will echo in the carbon budgets of the next decade.
