US Exits International Solar Alliance

12 Jan 2026 CW Team

Officials at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said the Indian government has taken note of the development, but stressed that the alliance continues to remain focused on its mandate. An MNRE official said the ISA currently represents 125 member or signatory countries and remains committed to supporting collective efforts to scale up solar energy in line with national priorities, with the goal of achieving universal energy access.

The official added that the ISA will continue to work closely with member countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, to support the development and deployment of solar energy through finance mobilisation, capacity building and risk mitigation.

Headquartered in Gurugram and co-founded by India and France, the ISA works with its member nations to address shared challenges in expanding solar energy adoption. Its programmes span policy support, project facilitation and technical assistance, with a strong focus on developing economies across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The US decision follows a presidential memorandum directing federal agencies to withdraw from several multilateral institutions that the administration has said do not align with American interests. The move affects a mix of UN-linked and independent organisations operating in climate, energy and development sectors.

While the US exit has triggered debate over global climate cooperation, officials said there is no immediate impact on the ISA’s ongoing initiatives or its engagement with member countries.

The ISA was launched at the COP21 in 2015 and has since emerged as a key platform for advancing solar financing and clean energy transitions. The United States had joined the alliance as its 101st member in November 2021, with the announcement made by John Kerry at the COP26, citing the need to accelerate global solar adoption, particularly in developing economies.

The International Solar Alliance has confirmed that the United States of America has withdrawn from the India-backed multilateral body, as part of a broader decision to exit 66 international organisations. Officials at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said the Indian government has taken note of the development, but stressed that the alliance continues to remain focused on its mandate. An MNRE official said the ISA currently represents 125 member or signatory countries and remains committed to supporting collective efforts to scale up solar energy in line with national priorities, with the goal of achieving universal energy access. The official added that the ISA will continue to work closely with member countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, to support the development and deployment of solar energy through finance mobilisation, capacity building and risk mitigation. Headquartered in Gurugram and co-founded by India and France, the ISA works with its member nations to address shared challenges in expanding solar energy adoption. Its programmes span policy support, project facilitation and technical assistance, with a strong focus on developing economies across Africa, Asia and Latin America. The US decision follows a presidential memorandum directing federal agencies to withdraw from several multilateral institutions that the administration has said do not align with American interests. The move affects a mix of UN-linked and independent organisations operating in climate, energy and development sectors. While the US exit has triggered debate over global climate cooperation, officials said there is no immediate impact on the ISA’s ongoing initiatives or its engagement with member countries. The ISA was launched at the COP21 in 2015 and has since emerged as a key platform for advancing solar financing and clean energy transitions. The United States had joined the alliance as its 101st member in November 2021, with the announcement made by John Kerry at the COP26, citing the need to accelerate global solar adoption, particularly in developing economies.

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