Table of Contents
India’s Critical Mineral Dependency: Challenges
- Heavy Dependency: India has a 100% reliance on imports of lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This heavy dependence poses risks, especially given the geopolitical tensions surrounding these resources.
- China’s Near-Monopoly: Approximately 70% of India’s lithium imports come from China, highlighting a near-monopoly that raises national security concerns.
- Increased Demand: The value of India’s critical mineral imports has surged from $475 million in FY15 to nearly $4.93 billion in FY24.
- Lack of domestic production: Despite having reserves of certain critical minerals (e.g., cobalt and copper), India has not yet developed robust domestic production capabilities.
India’s Perception of Mineral Diplomacy
- Engagement Pillars: India’s mineral diplomacy relies on two major pillars:
- Bilateral and Multilateral Engagement: Strengthening ties with resource-rich nations (e.g., Australia, Argentina, Chile, Kazakhstan) and participating in international forums like the Quad, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP).
- Strategic Partnerships: Establishing joint ventures such as Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) to secure critical mineral resources through agreements and investments.
- Government Initiatives:
- KABIL’s Agreements: Partnerships with Australia, Latin American countries (e.g., a $24 million lithium pact with Argentina), and Kazakhstan (IREUK Titanium Limited) to bolster mineral security.
- Policy Cooperation: MoUs with organizations like the International Energy Agency (IEA) to streamline policies and adopt global best practices.
India’s Initiatives to Reduce Dependency |
● The government has launched the Critical Minerals Mission.
● Reduced import duties on various critical minerals. ● Implemented measures to step up exploration campaign by auctioning off mining blocks. ● Expanded the Deep Ocean Mission. |
Challenges in India’s Mineral Diplomacy
- Lack of Private Sector Participation: Private enterprises are largely absent from India’s critical mineral initiatives.
- There is no clear roadmap or strategy to integrate the private sector into the mineral supply chain.
- Weak Diplomatic Capacity: India lacks a dedicated framework for mineral diplomacy within its diplomatic apparatus.
- The absence of specialized roles for mineral diplomacy in key missions hampers effective engagement.
- Insufficient Sustainable Partnerships: India’s collaborations are yet to mature into long-term, sustainable partnerships.
- Absence of a Clear Supply Chain Strategy: A comprehensive critical mineral supply chain strategy is missing.
Way Forward
- Formulate a clear, long-term strategy that covers exploration, acquisition, processing, and utilization of critical minerals.
- Strengthening ties with trusted partners like the EU, South Korea, and Quad members is crucial for enhancing supply chain resilience.
- India needs to formulate policies considering national security and growth prospects to de-risk mineral acquisition.
- Ensure that India’s mineral acquisition strategy prioritizes environmental and ethical standards.