New Delhi, India - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, with energy cooperation emerging as the centrepiece of discussions. The meeting comes as the United Kingdom, navigating its post-Brexit identity, positions itself as a potential trade bridge between the two nations.
Rubio arrived in New Delhi amid growing global urgency to accelerate renewable energy transitions. India, the world's third-largest carbon emitter, has set ambitious targets for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The US, under the Inflation Reduction Act, is pouring billions into clean energy subsidies, creating both competition and collaboration opportunities.
"India's energy demands are not a problem to be solved, they are a market to be engaged," said Dr. Anjali Sharma, energy policy analyst at the Centre for Policy Research. "The US sees India as a critical partner in diversifying supply chains away from China, particularly for solar panels and battery storage."
On the table are investments in green hydrogen, grid modernisation, and critical mineral supply chains. India holds significant reserves of rare earth elements, essential for wind turbines and electric vehicles. The US, meanwhile, offers advanced technology and capital.
But beyond bilateral deals, the UK is injecting itself into the conversation. Britain, eager to prove its global relevance after leaving the European Union, has been courting both Washington and New Delhi. "The UK wants to be a bridge for US-India trade, leveraging our financial services and legal frameworks," said Sir James Dalrymple, former British trade envoy to India. "We have historic ties and a shared language. It's a natural fit."
However, bridging differs from building. The US-India relationship has been plagued by tariff disputes and human rights concerns. India maintains high import duties on American solar panels and medical devices. The US has expressed unease over India's record on freedom of the press and treatment of minorities. These issues were raised in private sessions, sources confirm.
Meanwhile, the climate clock ticks. Global emissions continue rising, with India's coal consumption hitting record highs. "The physics of climate change does not wait for geopolitical negotiations," said Dr. Helena Vance, Science and Climate Correspondent. "Every tonne of carbon we emit today locks in future warming. The only path is rapid decarbonisation, which requires unprecedented cooperation."
Both leaders emphasised the importance of the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 partnership, launched in 2021. Yet implementation has been slow. Of the promised $100 billion in annual climate finance from developed nations, only a fraction has materialised. India has been vocal about the need for tangible financial flows, not just pledges.
Rubio's visit also touches on strategic competition. India seeks to balance its relationship with Russia, from which it imports vast amounts of oil, while courting US defence technology. The US wants India to reduce its reliance on Chinese manufactured goods. Energy deals become a lever in this complex triangle.
The UK's role remains ambiguous. A post-Brexit trade deal with India has been under negotiation for years, with little progress. The promise of a bridge may be more rhetorical than real. "The UK can facilitate conversations," said Dalrymple, "but it cannot replace the weight of direct US-India bilateral negotiations."
As the sun sets over the conference venue, the reality is clear: climate change waits for no trade deal. The scientific imperative is to cut emissions. The political reality requires dancing with the partners you have. Dr. Vance put it bluntly: "We are in a race against time. The technologies exist. The question is whether our political systems can deploy them fast enough."
The answer may be found in deals like the ones being discussed today, but the clock is ticking.
