Digging for Victory: India's Electrifying Race Against China for Earth's Treasures

India is making strategic moves to secure critical minerals in Australia and Africa, directly challenging China's dominance in the global supply chain. Recent initiatives include partnerships with African nations for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. India's Critical Mineral Mission, announced in the 2024-25 Budget, targets 30 vital minerals for defense, telecom, and high-tech industries. The government is also exploring a 9,000-sq-km block in Zambia for copper and cobalt. These efforts aim to reduce dependency on imports, particularly from China, and strengthen India's position in the race for resources essential to future technologies and energy transition.

 

Sources: Observer Research Foundation, Drishti IAS, Indian Express