India Highlights Fossil Fuel's Importance at BRICS Summit

At the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Brasília on May 19, India’s Power Minister, Manohar Lal, made a strong case for why fossil fuels are still essential for countries like India that are still developing. Speaking at the event hosted by Brazil, he called for smarter, cleaner ways to use fossil fuels to keep energy affordable while protecting the environment.

Lal explained that having reliable energy is a huge challenge around the world and absolutely key for moving forward. He encouraged the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, to team up on new ideas, like turning coal into gas, trapping carbon emissions, and using cleaner chemical methods to cut down on pollution without giving up on fossil fuels. “Fossil fuels remain vital, especially for developing countries, but their use must be cleaner and more efficient,” Lal said, according to a government update on May 20.

Key Highlights:

• India emphasized that fossil fuels remain vital for developing nations and called for cleaner, smarter usage to balance growth with sustainability
• Power Minister Manohar Lal highlighted India’s green energy strides, including 475 GW capacity and 20% ethanol fuel blending
• India urged BRICS cooperation on tech like carbon capture and invited members to the 2026 Energy Gathering to lead global energy discussions

He also shared some of India’s big wins in green energy. Over the last 10 years, India’s electricity capacity has shot up by 90%, hitting 475 gigawatts this year, with plans to reach 900 gigawatts by 2032. India’s now the world’s third-largest producer of solar and wind power and has hit a cool milestone of mixing 20% ethanol into its fuels, which is a big deal for sustainable energy.

Lal invited everyone to come to India for the next Energy Gathering in 2026, showing that India’s eager to lead the conversation on energy for developing nations. The BRICS group agreed to focus on keeping energy supplies steady while also working to cut down on greenhouse gases.

India’s also going big on renewables, with 43% of its power coming from clean sources. The goal is to hit 50% by 2030, with help from things like energy-saving building codes and rooftop solar projects. By mid-2026, India will roll out a carbon market to help businesses meet global emission rules, especially for exports to places like the EU.

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Lal’s message was straightforward: India’s focused on balancing affordable energy, growing its economy, and taking care of the environment, stepping up as a strong voice in global energy talks.