Global leaders hail New Delhi’s initiative for ISA : MEA

New Delhi, Mar 12: The overwhelming response to the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance Summit hosted in Delhi on Sunday and which was attended by 23 Heads of Nation and governments, six Vice Presidents and deputy Prime Ministers and 19 Ministers show that there has been a “huge surge” in joining the forum – that was originally visualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said.
“It is evident that there has been a huge surge and interest in joining the ISA,” T S Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters here.
Referring to the laudatory speeches made by various world leaders, he said the Governor General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove described ISA as “India’s gift to the world”.
The attendance shows the “significance” of the commitment to go for clean, affordable and sustainable energy and make “our world a better place”.
“The sustainable development has got a huge boost,” he said.
In his speech at the inaugural session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a “path-breaking initiative relating to Solar Technology Mission”.
“This is line with Prime Minister’s own initiative for India to take the lead internationally,” he said.
“Scaling up of solar technology and production was re-emphasised,” in the speeches of various
global leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, he said.
The President of Rawanda and chair of the African Union Paul Kagame called the ISA a “transformative inititiave” and called for implementation of the ISA missions chiefly technology transfer and innovative financing. “He reiterated that Africa will stand to benefit from ISA,” Mr Tirumurti said.
Many other leaders said the history will remember that the ISA was born in New Delhi.
During the day, Prime Minister held a series if bilateral meetings especially with leaders and nation heads from Africa.
“I can give you the gist of the common element. The focus was on capacity building,” MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.
As the bilateral meetings were held on the sidelines of a multi-lateral Summit, the focus in general was climate change, renewable energy and solar technology, he said.
“Developmental cooperation also figured,” he said.
Mr Tirumurti said certainly there was a feeling among the African nation heads that the India’s engagement has grown “exponentially” during last three years.