Chris Bowen: Renewal energy targets will underpin economic ties with India
Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen giving the AII Oration ain New Delhi, 15 Oct, 2025. Photo- Grab from ANI video on X.
NEW DELHI, 15 October, 2025: Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, has said renewal energy will underpin economic opportunities between Australia and India to achieve India’s renewable energy target of fifty percent. “Both Australia and India understand the need to work together on tackling the climate change challenge that confronts the world, and are ready to seize the energy transformation opportunity before us, he said.
The Minister was delivering the Australia India Institute’s Annual Oration for 2025 today at The Imperial Hotel, New Delhi.
Minister ChrisBowen said , “We are working towards our domestic renewable energy targets as well – in our case, 82%; in India’s case, 50%. Both ambitious, both a big step up…especially in the context of extending electricity to so many Indians who currently don’t have access, making your task so much more complex and challenging. As challenging as it is, it is also a remarkable opportunity because renewable energy is what will underpin our future economic opportunities and in no small part, the key to economic prosperity in coming decades…Clean energy supply chains will be the key to our success. That’s why we are proud to be working with India through the Quad…This week, we announced 12 projects that will receive 25 million dollars worth of grants in the first round of our Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain diversification program…” (Post on X by ANI)
The Minister further said, “Our regard to the Australia-India relationship and energy partnership has been in the top rank of our bilateral international energy agreements. Because the global energy transition ties our two nations together in so many ways. We are united by a shared ambition to contribute to global action on climate change. Recently, we announced our 2035 target – a reduction of 62-70% in emissions. This is a target that is both ambitious and achievable…” (Post on X by ANI)
“We do have complementary strengths, incredibly so. Australia brings deep expertise in clean energy innovation, R&D and education. India is a global leader in digital and technological and it is a powerhouse. Australia holds India’s technological accomplishments in very high regard. You have sent a rocket to the moon, the landing of the Chandrayaan Mission on the lunar surface see India, in many ways, lead the world. Both our countries possess enormous talent when it comes to skills we need to unlock more renewable potential. If we can get even more collaboration underway, it will be of enormous benefit to both countries…, he said. (Post on X by ANI)
The event convenes policymakers, academics, industry leaders and diplomats to advance strategic dialogue, foster business opportunities and celebrate cultural exchange – strengthening both institutional and people-to-people ties between Australia and India.
Former prominent speakers include Australian Minister for Education, The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Jacinta Allan, former Premier of New South Wales and High Commissioner to India, The Hon. Barry O’Farrell AO , former Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Peter Varghese AO and Member of Parliament from India, Dr Shashi Tharoor amongst others.
Australia India Institute CEO The Hon. Lisa Singh acknowledged the significance of Minister Bowen’s Oration, at a time both India and Australia are making crucial headway in their response to the climate crisis.
“Minister Bowen’s commitment to strengthening the relationship between our nations highlights the vast opportunities for Australia and India to collaborate on our shared journey towards net zero,” Ms Singh said.
