The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was officially established as a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation, becoming a fully operational international legal entity on January 23.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which serves as the Depository for the Framework Agreement, verified that five countries have formally ratified, accepted, or approved the agreement, making them IBCA founding members. These nations include the Republic of Nicaragua, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Republic of India, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the Republic of Liberia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the International Big Cat Alliance on April 9, 2023, during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. The alliance's primary goal is to protect seven key big cat species, including tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars and pumas.

During a cabinet meeting held on February 29 last year, the government officially approved the formation of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), designating India as its headquarters. The initiative was led by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC). The primary goal of the IBCA is to promote global collaboration in big cat conservation by bringing together expertise, successful strategies, and resources from different countries.

So far, 27 nations, including India, have committed to joining the alliance alongside several national and international organisations that specialise in wildlife conservation. 

Any country that is a member of the United Nations is welcome to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), especially those countries where these big cat species are found. Countries without these species in the wild can also join if they want to support conservation efforts.