Australia Seeks Stronger Critical Minerals Ties with India

• India-Australia partnership on lithium and cobalt projects
• Strategic role in Indo-Pacific stability and prosperity
• Strengthening ties and preparing for the next Quad Leaders’ Summit

According to Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner to India, Australia wants to bolster its cooperation with India regarding critical minerals, especially lithium and cobalt.

Critical minerals were one of the main focal points during Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s recent visit to New Delhi, reflecting the strategic nature of the discussions about the critical minerals agenda.

The Australia India partnership on critical minerals was highlighted by the Aussie envoy ahead of the Quad Summit New Delhi, emphasizing strategic minerals cooperation and Indo-Pacific security.

The High Commissioner stated, “Australia produces more than half of the world's lithium, for example, and India is on the way to becoming a major recipient of lithium from around the world as it embarks on its journey to become a big producer of batteries and electric vehicles”.

Green noted that Australia is keen to smooth that partnership and stated that the Australian Critical Minerals Office has been working with India’s Ministry of Mines.

Over the last few years, they identified five major lithium and cobalt projects for potential equity investment or offtake agreements to Indian private sector partners.

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He also pointed to the agreement on critical minerals recently signed by Australia and the United States and expressed optimism regarding increasing activity in the Quad framework.

While confirming that the next steps of the Quad will be determined by leaders and foreign ministers of the member nations, Green described the Quad as “enormously important” against a backdrop of a more competitive and disrupted global environment.

He added, “In an era of global disruption, the relationship between India and Australia remains very stable. There is a high level of strategic trust, and we want to be a reliable partner for India and for all other peace-loving countries in the region”.

The High Commissioner emphasized the role of the Quad as a powerful vector in supporting stability, prosperity and peace in the Indo-Pacific. This year has already seen two significant Quad foreign ministers’ meetings which were both massively successful.

Green then expressed Australia’s excitement regarding India hosting the next Quad Leaders’ Summit with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looking forward to visiting India as soon as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces the dates.