International Energy Agency (IEA) to start full membership talks with India

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The announcement was made in a joint communique following the IEA’s 2024 Ministerial Meeting and 50th Anniversary events.
India joined the IEA as an associate member in 2017 and sent a formal request for full membership last year.
- In 2021, India signed a strategic partnership agreement with the IEA to strengthen cooperation in global energy security, stability, and sustainability.

Criteria for IEA membership
- Must be a member country of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
- Crude oil and/or product reserves equivalent to 90 days of the previous year’s net imports.
  - India has strategic oil reserves of 9.5 days of its needs and combined with storage at refineries and depots, it is equal to the 66-day requirement.
- A demand restraint program to reduce national oil consumption by up to 10%.
- Legislation and measures to ensure that all oil companies under its jurisdiction report information upon request.
The IEA Governing Board makes the final decision on a country’s membership.

Significance for India
- Recognized India’s ‘strategic importance’ in tackling global energy and climate challenges.
- For energy security as India is the world's third-largest energy consumer.