International Energy Agency (IEA) & India’s Full Membership

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Why in News?

International Energy Agency (IEA) has “welcomed” India’s request for full membership. Currently, India is an Associate Member (since 2017).

Description:

International Energy Agency (IEA):

  • Established: 1974
  • Trigger: 1973 Oil Crisis (Yom Kippur War embargo)
  • Created by: OECD countries
  • Headquarters: Paris, France
  • Objective: Ensure energy security among member countries.

Core Mandate of IEA:

  1. Ensure oil supply security.
  2. Maintain Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR).
  3. Coordinate collective response during oil supply shocks.
  4. Energy data, research & policy platform.
  5. Increasing focus on clean energy transitions.

Membership Structure:

Full Members:

  • Only OECD countries
  • Must maintain minimum 90 days of net oil imports as strategic reserves.
  • Have full voting rights.

 Associate Members:

  • Participate in discussions & activities.
  • No voting rights.
  • India became Associate Member in 2017.

Why India’s Full Membership is Complex?

  • IEA charter restricts membership to OECD members.
  • India is not an OECD member.
  • Hence, IEA must:
    • Amend its legal framework, OR
    • Make a special exception.

Brazil (non-OECD) has also sought full membership.

Then vs Now:

EarlierNow
OECD countries consumed >60% of global energyIEA members + associates (incl. India, China, Brazil) account for ~80% of global demand
  • Reflects shift of energy demand toward emerging economies.
  • IEA recently collaborated with India on: LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative

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