Archive · 2 Sep 2026
India Pursues Global Mineral Pacts to Secure Supply Chains
India needs special minerals to make batteries, computers, electric cars and other important products.
The country is talking with other nations about getting a steady supply of these minerals.
India also wants to process and develop some of them for its own needs.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said future trade agreements could help India access these resources.
India is part of Pax Silica, a group led by the United States.
The group aims to make supplies of critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence equipment more reliable.
These minerals are difficult to obtain because much of their production and processing is concentrated in a few countries.
India says stronger partnerships could reduce supply problems and support domestic manufacturing and clean energy.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India is discussing partnerships with countries to process and develop critical minerals.
India plans to use free trade agreements to improve access to minerals needed for resilient supply chains.
India is participating in the United States-led Pax Silica initiative on critical minerals and artificial intelligence.
Goyal said India is discussing resilient supply chains with partners in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Critical minerals are used in electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy, defense, telecommunications and electronics.
- Who
- India, represented by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, is pursuing the partnerships.
- What
- India is discussing international collaborations, trade agreements and mineral-processing partnerships to improve access to critical minerals.
- When
- Goyal made the remarks on Wednesday; the article says Pax Silica was launched in December 2025.
- Where
- The remarks were made in New Delhi, with discussions involving partners in the United Kingdom and Europe.
- Why
- India wants to reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities, support domestic manufacturing and accelerate the clean-energy transition.
- Spokesperson
- Piyush Goyal, India's commerce and industry minister
- International initiative
- Pax Silica, a United States-led initiative covering critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence infrastructure
- Trade approach
- India plans to pursue free trade agreements to gain greater access to critical minerals
- Partners mentioned
- Countries in the United Kingdom and Europe, along with other unspecified countries
- Mineral examples
- Lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, gallium and germanium
- Major uses
- Electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy, defense equipment, telecommunications and electronics
- Supply concern
- Production and processing of critical minerals are concentrated in a few countries, with China described as the leading player