India signs USD 2 million agreement with ISA for solar projects in four Indo-Pacific countries

"The ISA, as the Project Implementing Agency (PIA) would provide programmatic assistance to Comoros, Fiji, Madagascar and Seychelles with financial support from India," read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The project was signed India committed to invest USD 2 million in new solar projects in the countries.

As per a study undertaken by the ISA, the countries under consideration for solar projects have energy issues related to perishability of agriculture products, unreliable electricity supply in health centers and for irrigation purposes in remote areas where grid power supply or solar mini-grids are not available yet.

"Based on discussions with the project recipient countries, solar projects in the areas of cold storage, solarization of health care facilities and solar water pumping systems are under consideration," the statement said.

The successful execution of these projects is expected to enhance energy access, create employment, and provide reliable and quality power supply in these Indo-Pacific countries.

"The latest round of clean energy investments by India in these countries shall help strengthen the commitment of the Quad to address the challenges posed by climate change and facilitate their transition to a clean energy economy for the people, planet and our shared prosperity," the statement said.

Following the agreement, MEA spokesperson Randhr Jaiswal wrote on X: "New chapter in Quad Climate Initiatives. A Project Implementation Agreement was signed between Ministry of External Affairs and International Solar Alliance to operationalise solar projects in Comoros, Fiji, Madagascar and Seychelles."