The shift of critical minerals to India’s strategic centre
India has elevated critical minerals to a central pillar of its industrial and geopolitical strategy, supported by the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission. The government is focusing on scaling domestic exploration and processing capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
Why it matters
Securing a domestic supply of critical minerals is essential for India's energy transition and long-term industrial competitiveness in a global market dominated by China.
Three years ago, and at the start of India’s G-20 presidency, critical minerals barely featured as a strategic topic in policy thinking. As recently as August 2023, several critical minerals, including lithium, were still classified as atomic minerals, effectively barring private exploration and mining. But the latest Union Budget shows that something critical has shifted in India’s thinking.
The report objectively outlines government policy shifts and acknowledges the significant execution challenges ahead.
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