New Delhi, May 26
India and the United States on Tuesday signed a pact to enhance cooperation on critical minerals and rare-earth supply chains amid global concerns about reliance on China for key resources for advanced technologies.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting, attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Jaishankar described the framework as “timely and critical”, saying it would deepen collaboration across mining, processing, recycling and investment linked to critical minerals and rare earth elements.
He said the partnership would help build resilient and diversified supply chains while supporting projects designed to secure long-term access to strategic resources.
Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements are essential for manufacturing electric vehicles, semiconductors, renewable energy systems and defence technologies.
The agreement comes at a time when many countries are seeking alternatives to China, which dominates much of the global supply and processing network for rare earths and strategic metals.
Rubio said the pact reflected the growing strategic partnership between India and the United States and highlighted the importance of reducing dependence on single-source suppliers.
“We are two countries that have strategic interests in ensuring reliable long-term access to critical minerals and supply chains,” he said.
According to a US statement, the framework is intended to strengthen trusted supply networks and protect critical industries from coercive market practices and supply disruptions.
The US government said it is supporting critical mineral projects globally with investments and loans worth more than 30 billion dollars in partnership with private companies.
Rubio also referred to the US-backed Pax Silica initiative, launched last year to support secure supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence technologies.
He said India’s participation in the initiative had helped strengthen cooperation between the two countries in emerging technology and resource security sectors.
