RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2312
ANSWERED ON 12/03/2025
CRITICAL MINERALS MINISTERIAL MEETING
2312. SHRI. R. GIRIRAJAN
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) Whether India has participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting held in Washington to discuss on strengthening and diversifying supply chains for critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements that are vital for modern manufacturing and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken for enhancing rare earth mineral supply chains, refining and processing technologies, long-term access to high-quality minerals and sustainable methods to secure supplies and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken by Government for getting adequate funding for new projects, recycling minerals from waste, technology sharing, and collaborative research efforts?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a to c) Yes. India participated at the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting held in Washington on 4th February 2026. Representatives of 54 countries, including 43 ministers and international organisations had participated. India was represented by External Affairs Minister. The meeting discussed strengthening and diversifying supply chains for critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements that are vital for modern manufacturing. During the Ministerial meeting, the creation of the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) was announced as a successor arrangement to the Minerals Security Partnership.
The Government has been engaging with partner countries and relevant international initiatives to enhance rare earth mineral supply chains, including cooperation relating to refining and processing technologies, securing long-term access to high-quality minerals, and promoting sustainable methods to ensure reliable supplies. India is also part of the initiatives to expand cooperation in research and development and investment across the critical minerals value chain.
The Government has been taking measures including recycling of minerals from waste, technology sharing and collaborative research efforts relating to critical minerals. The Government has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission, which aims to secure a long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen the critical mineral value chain covering exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing and recovery from end-of-life products. An Incentive Scheme to promote recycling capacity for extraction of critical minerals from secondary sources such as waste and scrap has been launched under the NCMM.
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