India’s Critical Minerals Diplomacy: Strategy and Challenges
India’s transition to a green economy is inextricably linked to the procurement of critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, copper) and rare earths. With China tightening export controls, New Delhi has adopted a "two-pronged strategy": bolstering domestic exploration while aggressively securing international supply chains through bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
The Global Landscape of Partnerships
India has engaged with diverse regions, each offering unique strategic advantages:
* Australia & Japan: Australia serves as a stable supplier of lithium and cobalt. Japan provides a "template for resilience," emphasizing stockpiling, recycling, and joint extraction in third countries.
* Africa & Latin America: Africa remains vital for copper and cobalt, while the "Lithium Triangle" (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia) is a primary focus for KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited).
* The West: While the U.S. offers technological innovation, domestic policies like the Inflation Reduction Act complicate stable engagement. Canada remains a high-potential partner for nickel and copper, provided political stability persists.
The "Choke Point": Processing and Midstream Capabilities
The core challenge is not just "securing ore" but mastering processing and refining. India remains vulnerable because it lacks midstream infrastructure. To build a resilient value chain, India must:
* Integrate Vertically: Move beyond extraction-only deals to value-chain partnerships involving local processing.
* Calibrate Regionally: Leverage Africa/Latin America for upstream extraction, while utilizing the EU/U.S. for downstream technology and recycling.
* Domestic Reforms: Strengthen Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks to align with international standards.
Conclusion: India's minerals diplomacy must evolve from "making announcements" to "project implementation," focusing on technology transfer and long-term mineral security to safeguard its clean energy future.
Source the hindu