India-US Sign Critical Minerals Cooperation Framework

On 26th May 2026, India and the United States signed a framework in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals and rare earth supply chains for strategic technologies and advanced manufacturing.

Key Points

Framework Agreement: India and the US signed the “Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths” framework.
Main Objective: The framework aims to strengthen cooperation in mining, processing, recycling, and investment related to critical minerals and rare earths.
Strategic Importance: Critical minerals are essential for advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, clean energy, batteries, and emerging technologies.
Supply Chain Security: Both countries aim to build resilient and diversified supply chains to reduce strategic vulnerabilities.
Related Initiative: India earlier joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative in February 2026.
AI Partnership: The cooperation also complements the India-US AI Opportunity Partnership announced earlier.
FORGE Initiative: India and the US are collaborating under the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) initiative on resource security.