India's Critical Minerals Strategy
India has identified 30 critical minerals essential for clean energy technology, defence, and electronics manufacturing. Securing supply chains for these minerals through bilateral agreements is a stated foreign policy and economic security objective.
- India's Critical Minerals List (2023, updated 2024): 30 minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earths, copper.
- Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL): Joint venture of three PSUs (NALCO, HCL, MECL) tasked with acquiring overseas mineral assets.
- KABIL has signed MoUs with counterparts in Australia (CSIRO), Argentina, and is exploring partnerships across Africa and Latin America.
- Critical Minerals Mission: Announced in Union Budget 2024-25; focuses on domestic exploration, processing, and international acquisitions.
- India's critical minerals deficit: High import dependence for lithium (~100%), cobalt (~100%), rare earths (~80%).
● Tracked since February 25, 2026 · last seen May 15, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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