India’s Critical Minerals Strategy: A Major Step Toward Self-Reliance

India is taking significant steps to secure a stable supply of critical minerals—a move that will be pivotal in shaping the future of its green energy and technology sectors. These minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and graphite, are essential for producing everything from EV batteries to electronic devices and renewable energy technology. With global demand for these resources growing, India’s dependence on imports for such minerals is a challenge.

Recognizing this, the Indian government has launched an ambitious plan aimed at establishing a more secure supply chain by acquiring stakes in major mineral-producing companies across the world. Countries like Australia, Argentina, and Chile, which are rich in these resources, will see new strategic investments from India in a bid to secure long-term supply agreements.

The government is also focusing on forming dedicated, country-specific funds to facilitate these international acquisitions and partnerships. Through these efforts, India aims to minimize its reliance on countries like China, which currently dominates the critical minerals supply chain worldwide.

To enhance domestic mineral production, India has plans to boost its processing infrastructure. This would allow India to make full use of its own mineral reserves, reducing its import dependence. For instance, while India holds the fifth-largest deposits of rare earth minerals, a lack of processing facilities has limited the nation’s ability to use them fully. By partnering with foreign companies and bringing advanced mineral processing technology to India, the country hopes to unlock the potential of its mineral wealth.

In the global arena, India is also working on collaborative agreements, such as the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States, aiming for a secure supply of essential minerals. This includes potential trade agreements that would allow India to leverage its trade relationships to strengthen its mineral supply chain.

Overall, this strategy is crucial not just for India’s economic growth, but also for achieving self-reliance in technology and industrial production, ensuring that India remains competitive in the rapidly advancing global economy. Through partnerships, technology transfer, and infrastructure development, India’s critical minerals strategy marks a major step toward securing its future in a mineral-dependent world.