Recognizing India's strategic importance in addressing global energy and climate challenges, ministers from IEA member states agreed to initiate discussions with India on the Indian government's request to become a full member of the IEA.

Ministers from the IEA's 31 member states announced in a joint communique following the IEA's 2024 Ministerial Conference and 50th anniversary events in Paris on February 13-14.

India joined the IEA family as an association member in 2017 and sent a request for full membership to the IEA Ministers in October 2023. India's membership of the IEA will mark a dramatic and significant change in international energy governance. As the world's most populous country, India will play an increasingly central role in maintaining energy security, promoting inclusive energy transition, and combating climate change.

In the next three decades, with rapid industrialization and urbanization and substantial growth in per capita income, India's energy demand growth will become the largest in the world.

"India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. Sustained growth requires energy security and sustainability." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. "Inclusion enhances the credibility and capabilities of any institution. 1.4 billion Indians bring talent, technology, and innovation. We bring scale and speed, quantity, and quality to every mission. I believe that when India is in the IEA The IEA will benefit when it plays a greater role."

“I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my full support for the agency’s efforts to welcome emerging economies, whether through the recent alliances of Kenya and Senegal, or the launch of negotiations with India to join the International Energy Agency as a full member,” said French President I Manuel Macron.

"We are pleased that IEA member ministers have agreed to launch membership negotiations with India, which is an important milestone in international energy governance," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. "India is an important and important part of our agency. An indispensable partner that plays a vital and increasingly important role in the global energy economy. The world cannot chart its energy future without India's participation."

The Indian Minister said: “Congratulations to the IEA on its 50th anniversary. Ensuring secure and affordable energy supplies while pursuing global clean energy transition goals is more important than ever. The IEA’s global role and leadership in this regard is important to the world Partners everywhere are critical.” “India and the IEA have been deepening their partnership over the past decade, and India is pleased that IEA ministers have agreed to begin discussions on India’s full membership in line with our October 2023 request. We look forward to Discussions with IEA members about the next steps continue.”

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said: "In many ways, the world's energy future will depend on India's energy future. Prime Minister Modi's leadership in renewable and alternative energy has pushed the rest of the world down." At prices, the costs of these options are competitive with other energy sources. The world's oldest continuous democracy looks forward to soon welcoming the world's largest democracy to the International Energy Agency to advance our shared climate and energy security goals. "

"Australia is also pleased to support India's membership of the IEA. By 2050, India will have the fastest growing energy demand in the world," said Chris Bowen, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy. “We are pleased to see the discussions going well and hope to soon be able to welcome India into the IEA family as an important voice for our region and our region.”

Gilberto Pichetto, Minister of Environment and Energy Security, said: “The agreed text on relations with India underlines the commitment to expand the Agency’s action and represents a step forward in the search for sustainable solutions for the energy and ecological transition. A step forward in sharing common goals and global commitments," said Fratin of Italy, which holds the rotating G7 presidency this year.

India's membership of the IEA is also one of the key issues discussed when US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Washington in June 2023.

The IEA and India have expanded cooperation on energy and climate issues in recent years, further deepening their relationship during India's G20 Presidency in 2023. The IEA provided expert analysis and advice on energy, climate, and development issues during India’s G20 Presidency, including renewable energy, biofuels, energy efficiency, innovation, and India’s Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative.