China export curbs hit: India seeks to secure rare-Earth supply chain, push for self-reliance in critical minerals
The Centre on Tuesday intensified efforts to secure the supply chain for rare-earth materials critical to manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs), electronics, and defence equipment. In a series of high-level meetings, officials from various ministries came together to review the local availability of these strategic resources.“This inter-ministerial effort will pave the way for India’s self-reliance in strategic materials crucial for electric vehicles (EVs), electronics, defence and other sectors,” said steel and heavy industries minister HD Kumaraswamy in a statement.The move comes as a response to concerns over China curtailing exports of permanent magnets, which are made from rare earth elements (REEs). These magnets are essential components in EV propulsion systems, speakers, power windows, and generators used in renewable energy infrastructure. The supply squeeze has raised fears of potential disruptions in EV production in India.Coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy and Kumaraswamy jointly chaired the inter-ministerial meetings, which also involved representatives from the atomic energy and commerce ministries, reported ET.Reddy posted on X that discussions focused on strengthening the value chain, from mining and refining to final use.To accelerate domestic capabilities, the government is considering amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. These changes aim to support the critical mineral mission and boost production capacity.Additionally, the Centre expects commercially viable domestic production of rare earth permanent magnets in small quantities later this year, marking a key step toward reducing reliance on imports.
