The Government of India has said that India-headquartered International Solar Alliance (ISA) will continue working with its 125 member and signatory countries to advance solar energy deployment and climate objectives, despite the withdrawal of the USA from the alliance. Notably, President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued an order to withdraw the USA from 66 international alliances, including several organisations under the UN, apart from the ISA.
This decision, which also includes pulling out of key climate treaties like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), continues with Trump’s dislike for climate-related activities.
The International Solar Alliance, launched by India and France in 2015 during the Paris Climate Conference, aims to promote solar energy deployment worldwide, particularly in developing nations, through initiatives focused on access, finance, and capacity-building.
The U.S. had joined ISA as a provisional member in 2016 under the Obama administration, but never fully ratified its membership.
Officials from the Indian government acknowledged the U.S. exit but emphasised that the alliance remains committed to its goals with 125 member countries still on board. “ISA remains focused on its objective of supporting member countries in collectively addressing key common challenges to scaling up of solar energy, in line with their needs, to achieve universal energy access,” said a government source.
The source further added, “ISA will continue to work with member countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, in development and deployment of solar energy, mobilising finance, building capacity, and reducing risk perceptions”
The process for most withdrawals, including from the UNFCCC, could take up to a year to take effect once formal notice is filed with the United Nations. If formalised, the U.S. would become the first country to exit the UNFCCC, a near-universal treaty ratified by 198 members.
This action aligns with President Trump’s long-standing scepticism toward green energy sources like solar and wind, which he has repeatedly criticized as unreliable, expensive, and environmentally harmful in their own ways.
Trump has called wind turbines “a disgrace” and “so pathetic and so bad,” falsely claiming they cause bird and whale deaths, drive up electricity prices, and represent “the scam of the century.” He also claimed that ‘smart countries like China’ don’t use solar and wind energy, but sell solar panels and wind turbines to other countries. The claim is false as China is the largest producer of wind energy; in fact, the country produces more than half of the worldwide wind power generation.
Trump administration has actively blocked offshore wind developments, excluded renewables from national energy emergencies, and prioritised fossil fuels like coal and oil under the guise of national security. He has also ended subsidies for electric vehicles, causing Tesla sales to fall in the USA.
On the other hand, China has increased production and deployment of solar and wind power plants. India, under the Modi government, has also committed to increasing the generation of renewable energy, and several mega solar power plants are being set up. India is increasing renewable energy generation not only because of climate worries, but also to reduce dependence on imported oil.
