India’s Mineral Security Challenge
India is a major importer of critical minerals, which are essential for its expanding manufacturing and technological capabilities.
Key minerals like lithium, cobalt, and titanium are particularly important for industries like electronics, batteries, and defense.
India’s reliance on other countries, particularly China, for these minerals has raised concerns about mineral security.
This dependence has become a strategic risk as some nations, like China, may weaponize resources for geopolitical leverage.
India’s Mineral Diplomacy Efforts
Lithium and Cobalt: India has focused on securing critical minerals like lithium and cobalt from countries with abundant reserves.
These minerals are vital for the production of Li-ion batteries and electric vehicles.
India signed an agreement with Australia for critical mineral investments, specifically for lithium and cobalt projects.
India signed a $24 million pact with Argentina for exploring lithium brine blocks in the Lithium Triangle (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia), which holds one of the largest lithium reserves in the world.
Chile and Bolivia: Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL), is working on acquiring mineral assets in these countries to ensure a steady supply of lithium.
KABIL : a joint venture company with a mandate “to ensure a consistent supply of critical and strategic minerals to the Indian domestic market”
Titanium: India formed a joint venture with Kazakhstan (IREUK Titanium Ltd.) to produce titanium slag, a crucial mineral used in the aerospace and defense sectors.
India’s joint ventures extend beyond individual projects, with efforts to build long-term, stable supply chains through direct foreign investments and government-to-government agreements.
Cooperative Engagements and Global Partnerships
India is engaging with several international groups to strengthen its mineral security:
Quad (Australia, Japan, India, the U.S.)
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) and G7
European Union (EU) and South Korea
India signed an MoU with the International Energy Agency to enhance cooperation on critical minerals, which will help India streamline its policies, regulations, and investments to meet global standards.
Challenges and Missing Elements
One of the key challenges is the lack of private sector participation in India’s mineral diplomacy.
Many private companies are not yet fully integrated into the international mineral supply chain due to unclear policies and strategic priorities.
India needs to build stronger diplomatic capacity to handle mineral diplomacy, such as creating a dedicated mineral diplomacy division within the Ministry of External Affairs and appointing specialized positions in diplomatic missions.
While India has made progress in securing mineral supplies, it needs to focus on building more sustainable and trusted partnerships.
Strategic collaborations with key partners like South Korea, the EU, and Quad members are crucial for ensuring long-term mineral security.
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