India-US Cooperation on Critical Minerals
India and the United States have intensified their collaboration on critical minerals, crucial for various high-tech and strategic industries, amidst concerns over China's supply chain dominance.
US-India Business Council (USIBC) Initiatives
- The USIBC launched a Critical Minerals Security Task Force to enhance cooperation in mineral supply chains.
- Task force aims to address shortages caused by China’s restrictive export policies.
- 26 out of 30 critical minerals identified by India align with US priorities, including rare earths, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and others.
Task Force Priority Areas
- Lithium refining and cathode active materials (CAM)
- Recycling and feedstock corridors
- Synthetic graphite production for battery applications
- Rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing
Supply Chain and Policy Regulation
- The task force operates through four workstreams:
- Supply Chain Security: Strengthening bilateral cooperation.
- Technology and Innovation: Joint research in materials and resource recovery.
- Investment and Finance: Structuring bilateral investment opportunities.
- Policy and Regulation: Supporting frameworks and regulatory environments.
- USIBC brings together 17 leading companies for collaboration in various sectors.
India-US Critical Minerals Framework
- Signed in May, focusing on securing supply, mining, and processing of minerals.
- Framework aims to deepen cooperation across the critical minerals supply chain.
Strategic Initiatives and Agreements
- India-US TRUST Initiative: Strengthening supply chains in semiconductors, minerals, and pharmaceuticals.
- Strategic Mineral Recovery Initiative: New program to recover critical minerals from industrial waste.
- Commitment to enhance R&D and investment in critical mineral technologies.
The collaboration underscores the strategic importance of critical minerals in emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing, aiming to build resilient supply chains and boost domestic capabilities in both countries.
