Pralhad Joshi, India’s minister for new and renewable energy, portrayed the country as a competitive production and export base for green fuels as New Delhi turns to the West and equipment for renewable energy at the Davos, Switzerland, World Economic Forum.
India Targets Renewable Energy Exports
Asian markets for green hydrogen, solar panels, and their derivatives while US supplies are slowing down.
On January 19, Joshi met with Said Mohammed Ahmed Al Saqri, an economic advisor at Oman’s Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, to discuss the export push. According to official data, bilateral trade between India and Oman reached over $10.6 billion in FY25. The two countries have a long history of commerce and investment.
Expanding Beyond US Markets
Even though demand in the US has decreased due to policy uncertainty and a reduction in renewable energy assistance under President Donald Trump, India has been pushing up efforts to diversify export destinations for solar modules after shipments to the US were impacted by increased tariffs. Oman is being positioned as a key gateway market for clean energy exports into West Asia in light of this.
On December 18, 2025, in Muscat, India and Oman signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which provides Indian exporters with improved market access for goods and services as well as tariff-free access on the vast majority of Omani tariff lines. As part of the agreement, India will liberalize tariffs on most of its imports from Oman, while Oman has granted zero-duty access on over 98% of its tariff lines, encompassing almost all Indian exports by value. According to officials, New Delhi views the deal as a major facilitator for the production of solar modules, electrolysers, and green hydrogen derivatives for export.
National Green Hydrogen Mission & Offtake Plans
By creating bankable offtake frameworks under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which supports demand generation through legislative incentives, aggregation mechanisms, and long-term supply visibility, India is attempting to anchor export demand for green hydrogen. According to ministry representatives, the government views these agreements as essential to connecting domestic producers of green fuels and electrolysers with international markets, such as those in Europe and West Asia.
🌱 India–Oman Renewable Energy Boost
- Date: January 19, 2026
- Meeting: Pralhad Joshi & Said Mohammed Ahmed Al Saqri
- Focus: Green hydrogen, solar modules, export strategy
- Trade: $10.6 billion bilateral trade in FY25
- Gateway: Oman as key West Asia hub
- Goal: Encourage investment & export-oriented manufacturing
According to Joshi’s social media post, India and Oman also talked about using the bilateral Joint Investment Fund to encourage investments in green hydrogen projects and the production of renewable energy. The fund is anticipated to help transform policy intent under the CEPA into practical implementation by facilitating capital deployment into export-oriented solar manufacturing, hydrogen hubs powered by renewable energy, integrated energy projects, and port-based export infrastructure.
India’s Competitive Edge at Davos
India positioned itself as a competitive manufacturing and export base for international investors at Davos by showcasing its capacity to scale solar, wind, energy storage, and green hydrogen projects in arid and desert environments, including conditions similar to those in Oman, according to government officials.
According to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, talks extended beyond luring Omani capital into India’s integrated energy projects, port-based export infrastructure, and hydrogen centers powered by renewable energy. Joint production and export prospects in solar modules, electrolysers, green hydrogen, and green ammonia were other topics of discussion.
⚡ Green Hydrogen & Solar Export Opportunities
- Focus: Solar modules, electrolysers, green hydrogen, green ammonia
- Investment: Joint Investment Fund facilitation
- Infrastructure: Integrated energy & port-based export hubs
- Collaboration: International Solar Alliance & Global Green Energy Grid
- Innovation: Industry-driven R&D & solar/wind tender participation
Multilateral Collaboration & Long-Term Goals
Both countries investigated further multilateral collaboration under the International Solar Alliance as India seeks to secure long-term international markets for its renewable energy goods. According to the minister, they also spoke on industry-driven innovation, cooperation on the Global Green Energy Grid project under the One Sun One World One Grid framework, and cooperative participation in future solar and wind tenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. For what reason did India present its exports of renewable energy at WEF 2026?
Following a slowdown in exports to the US due to increased tariffs and policy uncertainties, India is seeking to broaden its export markets for solar modules, green hydrogen, and related equipment.
2. What makes Oman crucial to India’s exports of clean energy?
With strong trade connections, port connectivity, and tariff-free access under the India-Oman CEPA, Oman is being positioned as a critical gateway to West Asia.
3. What advantages do Indian exporters receive from the India-Oman CEPA?
The deal increases the competitiveness of Indian renewable products by granting zero-duty access on around 98% of Oman’s tariff lines, which covers almost all Indian exports by value.
4. How does India’s export strategy incorporate green hydrogen?
India is creating long-term offtake structures and incentives under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to encourage the export of green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as green ammonia.
5. What investment prospects did Oman and India discuss?
Both parties talked about utilizing the Joint Investment Fund to assist integrated energy projects, hydrogen hubs, solar manufacturing, electrolyser production, and port-based export infrastructure.
Conclusion
With Oman emerging as a crucial partner and gateway to West Asia, India’s approach at WEF 2026 underscores a strategic shift toward export-led growth in renewable energy.
India hopes to guarantee long-term international markets for solar equipment and green fuels while luring foreign investment into its clean energy ecosystem with the support of the CEPA, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and expanding industrial capacity.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and official statements. Details may change as discussions and policies evolve.