Solar Power Push: French Minister Mathieu Lefevre in India to Meet PM Modi
France's Mathieu Lefevre arrives in New Delhi to co-chair the ISA Assembly, meet PM Modi, and push for re-election as ISA co-president.
In a significant move to bolster global green energy efforts, France's Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition, Mathieu Lefèvre, has arrived in New Delhi for an official two-day visit from November 2 to November 3. The primary objective of his visit is to co-chair the Ninth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly and advocate for France's re-election as the co-president of the alliance.
High-Level Engagements at Bharat Mandapam
The visit kicks off with a high-profile inauguration of the ISA Assembly on November 2 at Bharat Mandapam, where Minister Lefèvre will be joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This assembly is not a standalone event; it is being held in conjunction with two other major milestones: the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 and the 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2026.
On November 3, Minister Lefèvre is scheduled to address the plenary session of the ISA Assembly, co-chairing the proceedings alongside Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Beyond the main assembly, the French Minister will hold strategic meetings with Pralhad Joshi and Ashish Khanna, the Director General of the ISA.
The Mission: Limiting Global Warming
During his address, Minister Lefèvre is expected to emphasize the critical role of solar energy in keeping the global average temperature rise below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. This target is a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement adopted during COP21 in 2015—the same event where the ISA was first conceptualized as a joint venture between India and France.
France has demonstrated its commitment to the ISA through both expertise and funding, including:
- 1.3 million euros for the STAR-C Programme, focusing on capacity-building across 17 nations.
- 150 thousand euros allocated to the Africa Solar Facility.
- 150 thousand euros in voluntary contributions to the ISA Secretariat.
France's Vision for the Future of ISA
Seeking a new two-year term as co-chair of the Assembly, Minister Lefèvre has outlined four primary priorities for France's leadership:
- Enhancing technical and human capacity within developing nations.
- Improving and facilitating access to necessary financing.
- Further internationalizing the ISA Secretariat.
- Supporting the diversification of critical mineral value chains to decrease global dependencies.
Preparing for COP31 and Bilateral Ties
With COP31 in Antalya approaching, Minister Lefèvre will also meet with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav. Their discussions are set to cover bilateral cooperation regarding biodiversity, the environment, and climate change. They will also review the progress of various projects implemented in India by the French Development Agency (AFD - Agence française de développement).
What is the International Solar Alliance?
The ISA serves as a collaborative, member-driven platform designed to accelerate the deployment of solar energy technologies. Its goal is to ensure energy security, provide energy access, and drive the energy transition for its members. Since its inception at COP21 in 2015, the alliance has grown significantly and currently boasts 130 member and signatory countries.