Archive · 15 Aug 2026
PM Modi: India signing pacts to secure critical minerals
India's leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave a big speech on Independence Day from a famous old fort called the Red Fort.
He told the nation that India wants to make sure it has enough special rocks and metals called critical minerals.
These minerals are very important because they are used to make things like batteries for electric cars, wind turbines and electricity wires.
He said the whole technology world depends on these minerals.
India is making agreements with many other countries to get these minerals.
India has also started a special mission called the National Critical Mineral Mission to explore for these minerals inside the country.
The government is putting aside a lot of money for this mission, and public companies will add even more.
India plans to build four special parks in different states where these minerals can be processed into useful materials.
The parks will focus on lithium and nickel, which are very important for making batteries.
Many nations around the world are now trusting India in this important work.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India is signing agreements with multiple countries to secure critical minerals and strengthen supply chains.
He made the announcement during his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day.
The government has earmarked Rs 16,300 crore for the National Critical Mineral Mission, with public sector enterprises expected to contribute Rs 18,000 crore.
Four critical mineral processing parks will be set up in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to support battery materials.
Critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt and rare earths are essential for wind turbines, electricity networks, electric vehicles and battery manufacturing.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Announced that India is signing agreements with multiple countries to secure critical minerals and highlighted the National Critical Mineral Mission and Critical Mineral Corridor
- When
- Saturday, on the 80th Independence Day
- Where
- From the ramparts of the Red Fort
- Why
- To strengthen supply chains of critical minerals that the entire technology and clean energy sector depends on
- Government funding for NCMM
- Rs 16,300 crore earmarked; public sector enterprises expected to contribute Rs 18,000 crore
- Critical mineral processing parks
- 4 parks planned in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
- Priority minerals for parks
- Lithium and nickel, prioritised for the battery sector
- Key critical minerals
- Copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths
- Applications
- Wind turbines, electricity networks, electric vehicles and battery manufacturing
- Budget initiative
- Critical Mineral Corridor announced in the budget