India has officially joined the US-led minerals security finance network, which is designed to enhance cooperation and facilitate information sharing and co-financing among institutions in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, according to the US State Department.
This network aims to promote diverse, secure, and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals, as outlined in the announcement made on Monday. This development comes in response to China's increasing influence over global critical mineral supplies.
"The energy transition is at risk," stated Undersecretary of State Jose Fernandez during discussions at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. He emphasized the need for increased production capacity for critical minerals, noting that many supply chains are concentrated in just one or two countries, which undermines their resilience.
This initiative is part of the Minerals Security Partnership, a framework established by the US in 2022 alongside 13 countries and the European Commission, aimed at diversifying supply chains for critical minerals among its participants.
India is actively pursuing critical mineral resources from countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Australia, as well as certain African nations. Additionally, Kazakhstan in Central Asia may also become a key supplier for India’s needs.
