India-US energy ties develop as interests converge

Significance

The visit helped consolidate India-US bilateral relations, building on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington last September. Energy cooperation was the focus of trade agreements, alongside major deals to help finance India's transition to clean energy.

Impacts

• The energy talks will boost Modi's national profile as an advocate of clean energy, despite his administration's focus on coal usage.
• Power sector tariff reform is politically costly, but a key deterrent to private investment.
• India will not commit to a binding emissions target in Paris, but could consent to a compromise.