Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar highlighted India’s progress in strengthening energy security, expanding clean energy and improving regulatory efficiency at the G20 Energy Abundance Working Group meetings in Houston, Texas.

He also held bilateral discussions with senior US and Canadian officials on cooperation in emerging energy technologies.

According to the Ministry of Power, Khattar participated in the G20 meetings on 15 September, where he addressed ministerial sessions under Pillar 1 on ‘Energy Security and Affordable Baseload’ and Pillar 2 on ‘Permitting and Regulatory Efficiency’.

Under the energy security pillar, the minister noted that India’s installed power capacity has reached 552 GW and emphasised that the country’s non-fossil energy share has crossed 50 per cent. He pointed to advances in solar power, energy storage, nuclear energy and clean cooking access.

He stressed India’s approach towards ‘technology neutral, inclusive energy pathways’ and highlighted international cooperation through initiatives including the International Solar Alliance, One Sun One World One Grid and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

Addressing regulatory efficiency, Khattar outlined measures aimed at streamlining approvals and improving regulatory predictability through digital platforms such as the National Single Window System, PARIVESH and PM Gati Shakti. He underlined that efficient permitting is essential for timely infrastructure development and called for greater G20 cooperation in capacity building and regulatory modernisation.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Khattar met US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and discussed India’s plans for power infrastructure to support artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and data centres, alongside the country’s nuclear expansion roadmap. Both sides reaffirmed cooperation under the US-India Energy Security Partnership, with focus on clean energy, resilient infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Khattar also held talks with Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on cooperation in energy efficiency, low-emission technologies and offshore exploration under the Samundra Manthan scheme. He encouraged Canadian companies to participate in India’s expanding exploration and production sector and deepen engagement in emerging energy technologies.

The Ministry of Power said Khattar reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening national energy security through diversification of energy sources, expansion of clean and reliable baseload capacity and faster adoption of emerging technologies.

He emphasised India’s pursuit of a balanced and future-ready energy strategy while deepening international partnerships to ensure secure, sustainable and affordable energy for its citizens and contribute to global energy stability.

India’s participation in the Houston meetings also reflects its broader ambition to position itself as a leader in clean energy transitions while simultaneously addressing the challenges of energy resilience. 

With rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, India’s focus on both baseload reliability and regulatory efficiency is intended to ensure that infrastructure development keeps pace with technological innovation.

By engaging with the US and Canada, India is also signalling its intent to integrate advanced energy technologies into its domestic ecosystem. This includes nuclear expansion, offshore exploration, and digital permitting systems that reduce delays and improve transparency. Such measures are expected to strengthen investor confidence and accelerate project execution timelines.

The emphasis on international cooperation through platforms like the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance further demonstrates India’s commitment to shaping global energy governance. These initiatives are designed to foster collaboration among major energy-consuming nations and ensure that clean energy pathways remain inclusive and technology neutral.

India’s energy strategy, as outlined by Khattar, is not only about expanding capacity but also about building resilience, diversifying sources and ensuring affordability. The Houston meetings provided an opportunity to showcase this integrated approach and reinforce India’s role in contributing to global energy stability.

Agencies