A comparative analysis of energy transition in India and China amid geopolitics of renewables

Abstract

This review article analyses the effects of the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy on international relations, particularly with regard to India. The increasing disparity between developed and developing nations, alongside escalating global power disputes, makes this study relevant considering India’s goal to achieve net-zero target by 2070 for sustainable environment. This research is primarily based on the secondary sources of data collected from peer-reviewed publications from Scopus and Web of Science, policy briefs and organizational reports from 2010 to 2025. The paper investigates the impact of the USA - China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region on India’s energy strategies and planning. Further, this study compares India’s strengths and weaknesses with China by assessing secondary data on renewable energy, critical minerals, technological dependence, and geopolitical factors. The assessment indicates that India is susceptible because of its significant dependence on imported fossil fuels (85% of oil and over 50% of gas) alongside imported critical and rare earth minerals. The study underscores the significance of international collaboration, enhancement of local manufacturing, and regional alliances. Additionally, it highlights the necessity for an equitable transition framework to tackle social and economic issues in coal-reliant regions, enabling India to achieve its net-zero objectives and enhance its position in the energy transition of the global South.