India in Talks on Critical Minerals Deals with Global Partners

• India is negotiating with Brazil, Canada, France, and the Netherlands on critical minerals like lithium and rare earths
• The talks aim to reduce reliance on China and mirror India’s agreement with Germany on exploration, processing, and recycling
• India has agreements with Argentina, Australia, Japan, and is in talks with Peru and Chile, identifying over 20 minerals as critical for its energy transition

India is participating in talks with Brazil, Canada, France and the Netherlands to establish a cooperative program for vital mineral exploration, extraction, processing and recycling, which India needs to establish new sources of essential raw materials.

The talks focus on lithium and rare earth minerals because India wants to obtain advanced technologies for mineral processing. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the talks.

The nation wants to develop relationships with different countries because its current dependence on Chinese mining operations which control essential mineral resources and possess advanced processing methods creates vital supply chain risks.

Mining experts note that bringing a mine from discovery to production can take years because exploration needs five to seven years, which fails to produce a commercially viable mine.

Also Read: India, Canada Deepen Ties in Critical Minerals, Clean Mobility

The new discussions mirror elements of the critical minerals agreement between India and Germany, which they signed in January. The agreement includes provisions for exploration, processing, recycling and the acquisition and development of mineral assets both domestically and abroad.

The source indicated that agreements with France, the Netherlands and Brazil are being discussed while a potential pact with Canada is under active consideration. The Ministry of Mines is leading India’s efforts in these negotiations.

Canada’s Prime Minister is expected to visit India in early March to sign deals covering uranium energy minerals and AI. India is currently in talks with Peru and Chile for broader cooperation after it signed critical minerals agreements with Argentina, Australia and Japan.

The country has identified more than 20 minerals, which include lithium, as critical to its energy transition and industrial growth. These moves align with global efforts by major economies to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth supplies.