ORF America hosted a group of climate and energy policy experts for a breakfast discussion with Observer Research Foundation chairman Sunjoy Joshi to break down the climate and energy outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s state visit in June 2023.

Mr. Joshi anchored the state visit in the context of a climate and energy backlog in the bilateral relationship, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, COVID-19, and disruptions to global energy flows. He discussed the main issues and technological focuses of the bilateral relationship including geopolitical alignment, hydrogen, and modular nuclear reactors and emphasized the potential for expanded U.S.-India cooperation.

The discussion also explored the geopolitics of climate finance and energy security as well as templates for cooperation between the Global North and South where he sees leading roles for the US and India. Mr. Joshi and participants discussed renewable energy component supply chains like polysilicon for solar energy manufacturing, China’s role in the renewable energy technology industry, critical minerals for the energy transition, the need for governments to help mobilize climate finance, and the Global South’s increasing influence in international climate negotiations.