New Delhi: India and the United States have taken a major step toward strengthening cooperation in critical minerals, signing a new framework aimed at securing stable supplies of rare earth elements and strategic metals that power modern technologies.
The agreement was formalized in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, bringing together External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The move comes amid rising global concerns over tighter export controls from China on critical minerals, which are essential for electronics, electric vehicles, defense systems, and advanced manufacturing.
From Mining to Recycling: Full Supply Chain Focus
The framework covers the entire critical minerals value chain—from mining and extraction to processing, recycling, and investment in new projects.
Both countries aim to reduce dependence on single-source suppliers and build more resilient supply networks.
Speaking at the signing, S. Jaishankar described the agreement as “timely and critical,” saying it will help both nations strengthen supply chains, attract investments, and improve long-term resource security.
Jaishankar added that the partnership reflects growing trust and cooperation between India and the US, especially at a time when global supply chains face increasing uncertainty.
Today, @DrSJaishankar and I signed a bilateral Critical Minerals Framework, marking a milestone in the strategic partnership between the U.S. and India.
This sets us on a path toward reliable & resilient mineral supply chains, reinforcing key objectives established by @POTUS. pic.twitter.com/kjS3TwdV6J
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 26, 2026
Marco Rubio underlined that the deal represents shared strategic priorities between the two countries. He said both India and the US depend on reliable access to critical minerals to sustain innovation-led economies.
Rubio also pointed to the US-backed “Pax Silica” initiative, which aims to build secure and innovation-driven supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence technologies.
Rubio noted that discussions on this partnership gained momentum after India’s participation in a recent critical minerals forum in Washington, DC, and said the latest agreement is a practical outcome of those engagements.
Step To Diversified Global Supply Chains
The agreement signals a broader effort by both nations to reduce vulnerabilities in global supply networks and prevent overdependence on any single country for essential materials.
Officials said the framework will also encourage joint investments and cooperation in emerging technologies linked to clean energy, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.
The latest move adds another layer to the expanding India–US strategic partnership, with both sides positioning critical minerals as a key pillar of future economic and technological cooperation.
