India partners with 11 countries to secure critical mineral supply chains 

New Delhi: India has partnered with 11 countries to strengthen critical mineral supply chains, the government told Parliament on Thursday. The partnerships are aimed at securing reliable access to minerals used in clean energy technologies, semiconductor manufacturing and defence production.

The minister of state for external affairs, Pabitra Margherita, in a written reply to unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha, said India has partnered with Australia, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Peru, Japan, Zambia, Mozambique, Mongolia and the US. The reply came in response to a question by Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh on the country’s critical mineral security strategy.

Margherita said the government is expanding partnerships with countries and international groupings to secure reliable access to critical minerals. He said these minerals are essential for clean energy technologies, semiconductor manufacturing, defence production and other emerging sectors.

He said India is working with partner countries to enhance critical mineral supply chains through cooperation on refining and processing technologies, securing long-term access to high-quality mineral resources, and promoting sustainable mining practices. The country is also expanding cooperation in research, development and investment across the critical minerals value chain.

India is also participating in multilateral initiatives, including the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), the Forum on Responsible Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) and the Quad’s critical minerals framework. The platforms promote cooperation in research, development and investment across the critical minerals value chain.

Margherita said the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) aims to secure a sustainable supply of critical minerals by strengthening the entire value chain. He added that the government is also promoting recycling, technology sharing and collaborative research, with an incentive scheme to boost recovery of critical minerals from waste and scrap.

Critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements, are essential for batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy systems and advanced defence platforms. As countries seek to diversify supply chains amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, India’s partnerships form part of a broader strategy to strengthen long-term resource security and reduce vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains.