Framework focuses on critical minerals supply chain
The agreement covers mining, processing, recycling and investments in rare earths and strategic minerals
India and the United States on Tuesday signed a new bilateral framework focused on securing the supply, mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements, marking a significant step in strengthening strategic and economic cooperation between the two countries.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the agreement during engagements linked to the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi.
“We are today signing a bilateral India-US framework on securing supplies of mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths,” Jaishankar said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as a concrete example of the growing strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi.
“I have spoken often during my time here over the last few days about the strategic alliance between the United States and India and how important that is for our national interest in the United States. And today is a tangible example of it,” Rubio said.
He said both countries shared a long-term strategic interest in ensuring secure and reliable access to critical minerals, which are essential for advanced technologies, clean energy, electronics and defence manufacturing.
“We are two countries that have strategic interests in ensuring reliable long-term access to critical minerals and supply chains that are important for our innovation economy,” Rubio added.
The US Secretary of State said the groundwork for the agreement had been laid earlier this year when India participated in the Critical Minerals Forum hosted in Washington DC on February 4.
He also referred to India joining the “Paxilla” initiative later that month, saying the latest framework further strengthens bilateral coordination in this sector.
Rubio stressed that both nations wanted to reduce dependence on “single source monopolies” that could disrupt supply chains during geopolitical tensions or conflicts.
“Vibrant innovation economies such as ours cannot afford to leave the foundational materials of these industries vulnerable to single source monopolies that could deny us these things, not just in a time of conflict, but as a leverage point contrary to our sovereign national interests,” he said.
The framework is expected to deepen cooperation across the entire supply chain of critical minerals and rare earths, including mining, processing, recycling, technology partnerships and investment opportunities.
The agreement could significantly benefit India by helping it emerge as a larger player in global supply chains while supporting the government’s domestic manufacturing ambitions under initiatives aimed at boosting high-tech and strategic industries.
The development comes at a time when countries around the world are looking to diversify supply chains away from overdependence on a few dominant suppliers of rare earth elements and critical minerals.
Meanwhile, the Quad grouping — comprising India, the United States, Australia and Japan — also announced new measures to strengthen maritime surveillance and improve port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific region.
The announcements followed the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, chaired by Jaishankar and attended by Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
“Much of the discussions and indeed the bilateral exchanges were devoted to the current state of the world,” Jaishankar said after the meeting.
He said the discussions naturally focused on issues linked to the Indo-Pacific region.
“Because we are four maritime democracies located at different ends of the Indo-Pacific, the exchange of perspectives was an exercise of considerable value,” Jaishankar said.
The minister added that the Quad nations reaffirmed the importance of ensuring safe and unimpeded maritime commerce and respecting international law.
“We spent some time on the question of safe and unimpeded maritime commerce and reaffirmed the significance of scrupulously observing international law,” he said.
Jaishankar further said the Quad continued to play an increasingly important role in maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
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