Critical minerals cooperation with US advancing rapidly: Jaishankar

Jaishankar Highlights Swift Advances in Bilateral Ties

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has revealed that cooperation on critical minerals between India and the United States is moving forward at a brisk pace. This comes after his recent visit to Washington, where he attended the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Jaishankar described the trip as productive and positive, emphasizing the momentum building in areas like strategic issues, defense, and energy. The minister's statements underscore a new phase in India-US relations, particularly following the near-finalization of a historic trade deal that promises to unlock vast economic opportunities for both nations.

During the ministerial, Jaishankar stressed the risks posed by excessive concentration in global supply chains and the urgent need to de-risk them through international partnerships. He spotlighted India's own initiatives, such as the National Critical Minerals Mission, aimed at boosting domestic resilience in sourcing these vital resources. These minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, are essential for everything from electric vehicles and semiconductors to defense technologies and clean energy solutions. The collaboration fits into broader efforts to diversify away from dominant suppliers and foster stable, allied networks.

Launch of FORGE Initiative Marks Strategic Milestone

A key highlight from the ministerial was the unveiling of the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement, or FORGE, which Jaishankar publicly endorsed. This platform seeks to coordinate efforts among over 50 countries to secure and diversify critical mineral supply chains, addressing vulnerabilities in global production and processing. US Vice President JD Vance outlined ambitions for a new trading zone focused on creating diverse production centers, stable investments, and disruption-resistant supply chains. Vance said during the event.

Over time, our goal within that zone is to create diverse centers of production, stable investment conditions and supply chains that are immune to the kind of external disruptions we have already talked about,

The timing of this push is notable, arriving right after the India-US trade agreement that eased tariffs on Indian goods and reset economic relations. For India, this aligns seamlessly with ambitions under the Make in India campaign, semiconductor expansion, and clean energy goals. It positions the country as a key player in alternative global hubs for technology and security-related manufacturing, strengthening ties with the US and partners like those in the Quad framework.

Broader Implications for Global Supply Chain Security

The Critical Minerals Ministerial represents a Trump administration drive to reorganize international supply chains around trusted allies, explicitly aiming to counter dominance in rare earths and processing where one major player holds sway. China currently leads in producing many minerals deemed critical by global standards, controlling vast shares of mining and over 90 percent of processing capacity. This has raised alarms about geopolitical risks, economic dependencies, and threats to national security as demand surges for AI, robotics, batteries, and autonomous systems.

India's active involvement, welcomed by groups like the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, could pave the way for framework agreements on mining, processing, recycling, and joint ventures. Discussions also touched on policy predictability, technology sharing, and initiatives like Project Vault for strategic stockpiling. On the sidelines, the US announced new cooperation pacts with entities in Europe, Japan, Mexico, and others, signaling a coalition-building approach. For both nations, this promises enhanced energy security, industrial competitiveness, and a resilient future amid shifting global dynamics.

In wrapping up his engagements, Jaishankar met bilaterally with Rubio, reaffirming commitments to expand cooperation through bilateral and multilateral channels, including the Quad. Hopes are rising for high-level visits, such as a potential trip by US President Donald Trump to India for a Quad summit. Overall, these developments paint a picture of accelerating partnership, with critical minerals at the forefront of redefining economic and strategic landscapes. This cooperation advances rapidly, bolstering supply chain resilience, trade ties, and shared goals in technology and defense, while supporting initiatives like FORGE and India's domestic missions.