The maiden International Solar Alliance Summit is not only an attempt to fight climate change through cost effective renewable energy means but also a concerted attempt by India to acquire a leadership role in the developing world where China , by virtue of its economic prowess, has made huge inroads over the past two decades.Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's initiative that culminated in this Summit would help India to express power in a manner that is benign and rule-based, unlike China’s more aggressive and expansionist postures in geo-politics.India’s goodwill backed by French economic clout created a new development-oriented narrative at the Summit that witnessed presence from 60 signatory countries and delegates from over 60 other countries who are prospective ISA members, officials indicated to ET. The group of over 120 nations once in place would contribute to India’s power projection in the 21st century.Presence of several leaders from Africa and the Pacific region riding on their earlier summits with India in 2014-2015 signals Delhi growing geo-political clout as the Modi government hopes to produce solar panels at rates cheaper than those Made in China.These panels would also meet domestic demand. At the Summit, India offered Line of Credit worth $1392.48 m for solar projects for African countries besides Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This Line of Credit is being offered at interest rates cheaper than Chinese commercial loans.Consider the presence of Western African leaders in this Summit besides the participation of leaders from Seychelles, Mauritius, Djibouti, Somalia and Comoros (Eastern Africa). While India has significant footprints in Eastern and Southern Africa, Delhi is keen to raise its profile in Western & Central Africa -- Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo (Central Africa), Gabon, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea.Top leaders of all these countries were present at the Summit which India put together after months of painstaking efforts. Interestingly, all these nations except Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana were French colonies, and Paris still maintains strong ties with these countries. Modi made it a point to hold separate meetings with leaders of each of these nations over this weekend.While India is partnering with Japan in its quest to expand development and infrastructure initiatives in Eastern Africa, France is being considered as India’s partner in Western Africa or largely Francophone Africa.French influence in this region is unparalleled and partnership with Paris would help Delhi to make further inroads. While harnessing resource from Western Africa would be a priority for Delhi, forging counter-terror partnership would also help in achieving geo-political goals amid the Islamic State taking refuge in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. Interestingly, a number of Western African countries are members of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and India would be keen to build bonds with them to blunt Pakistan’s Kashmir narrative in OIC.Simultaneously, Modi's meetings with Djibouti leader was also significant as the Eastern African country hosts the first and only Chinese military base abroad so far. Indian President went to Djibouti last year on his maiden visit abroad in his current role. Besides India's partnership with Somalia is critical to fight Al Qaeda.As India gives shape to its Indo-Pacific strategy, equally important were the presence of leaders from the Pacific Island states, many of whom can’t think of a separate bilateral visit to India. Since the Modi government came to power in 2014, India has held two Summits with Pacific states including the maiden edition in Fiji.