Critical minerals, the foundation of strategic power

Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths are vital for clean energy transition, digitalization, and national security. The global supply chain is highly concentrated, with China dominating processing, creating geopolitical risks. India, despite some domestic reserves, is import-dependent and faces processing bottlenecks for its ambitious clean energy and manufacturing goals. The article details India's recent policy shift, including the National Critical Mineral Mission, KABIL's overseas acquisitions, and international partnerships, emphasizing the need for robust execution to build domestic capability and reduce strategic vulnerability.