Focus: GS-II International Relations
Introduction
- India and the US have a long-standing energy collaboration, which was reinforced through the announcement of a new US–India Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP).
- The India–US Strategic Energy Partnership has four pillars: Oil and Gas, Power and Energy Efficiency, Renewable and Sustainable Growth.
- The Sustainable Growth pillar is being co-chaired by NITI Aayog and USAID.
Key achievements and future action plan of the Sustainable Growth pillar
Energy data management
- An India Energy Dashboard, which was launched in 2015, has been revamped with the provisioning of data input online and through API integration.
- To enrich the exercise, NITI Aayog created eight sub-groups on energy demand and supply sectors. India and US agencies will cooperate to build a robust energy dashboard.
Energy modelling
- Two exercises carried out on energy-water nexus and decarburization of transportation sector have highlighted key issues and provided policy advice. NITI Aayog and USAID jointly launched India Energy Modeling Forum.
- The forum will engage US and Indian researchers, knowledge partners, think tanks, both national and international, and government agencies and departments for modeling and long-term energy planning exercise.
Low carbon technologies
- Both sides agreed to engage through concerned Government, related agencies, and private players for the promotion of low carbon technologies in India.
