India’s transition towards clean energy and its emerging geopolitical implications

The transition of India toward clean energy represents a major transformation in its economic, environmental, and geopolitical landscape. As one of the world’s fastest-growing energy consumers, India is increasingly promoting non-fossil fuel energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, nuclear energy, and green hydrogen to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve long-term energy security and climate commitments. This manuscript examines the geopolitical dimensions of India’s clean energy transition by analyzing both its strategic opportunities and emerging challenges. The study highlights how renewable energy expansion enhances India’s global climate leadership, strengthens strategic partnerships through initiatives such as the Minerals Security Partnership, and supports regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The paper also evaluates supply chain dependencies associated with India’s renewable energy sector. It critically discusses challenges including dependence on imported critical minerals, technological reliance on China, supply chain vulnerabilities, geopolitical competition, policy coordination issues, and energy security concerns during the transition phase. The study argues that India’s clean energy transition is not merely an environmental objective but also a strategic geopolitical process shaped by global power dynamics and technological transformation.