🧭 Why is India stepping into critical minerals?
Because India needs special minerals (like lithium, cobalt, graphite) to make:
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Electric vehicles
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Solar panels
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Batteries
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Semiconductors
But the problem is:
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India has very little of these minerals
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China controls most of the world’s supply chain
So India must:
Go global to secure its future energy needs and avoid being dependent on China.
🌍 Which countries is India working with? And why?
🟩 Africa
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Zambia – India has sent geologists to look for copper and cobalt
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South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe – Already signed deals to explore lithium, cobalt, rare earths
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Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda – Talks going on
Why Africa?
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Rich in minerals
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Less explored compared to Latin America
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Helps India counter China’s influence there
🟧 Latin America
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Argentina, Chile, Bolivia – Known as the “Lithium Triangle”
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India signed deals here to access lithium for EV batteries
🟦 Australia
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India and Australia started a Critical Minerals Partnership
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Australia is rich in lithium, nickel, rare earths
🟥 Other Partners
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Sri Lanka – For graphite
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US, Japan – India joined Minerals Security Partnership to build secure supply chains
🛠️ What is India doing exactly?
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✅ PSUs like KABIL and NMDC are going abroad to explore mines
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✅ Laws have been changed to make it easier to mine and invest overseas
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✅ India is investing in processing, recycling, and not just raw mining
🧠 Simple Summary:
India is securing rare minerals from Africa, Latin America, and Australia to power its clean energy future — especially for EVs, solar, and semiconductors. This reduces dependence on China and builds strong ties with resource-rich countries.