NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is strengthening its efforts to secure critical mineral supplies by entering into agreements with multiple countries and building resilient international supply chains.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi said critical minerals have become increasingly important as the global technology sector depends heavily on these resources. He noted that several countries are now placing their trust in India’s efforts to secure access to these strategically important materials.
The Prime Minister highlighted initiatives such as the National Critical Mineral Mission and the proposed Critical Mineral Corridor as key components of India’s strategy to strengthen resource security.
The government has allocated Rs 16,300 crore for the National Critical Mineral Mission, while public sector enterprises are expected to contribute another Rs 18,000 crore. The mission also aims to accelerate domestic exploration and increase the availability of strategically important minerals.
Critical minerals including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements are essential for a wide range of modern industries. They are used in electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy systems, electricity networks and other clean-energy technologies.
Alongside overseas partnerships, the government is working to develop domestic processing capabilities. Four dedicated critical mineral processing parks are planned in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to promote value addition and build specialised industrial ecosystems.
The proposed facilities will focus on specific minerals and establish integrated supply chains covering processing and downstream manufacturing. Lithium and nickel are among the resources being prioritised because of their importance to the battery industry.
The initiative is aimed at developing complete value chains within the country, reducing dependence on external processing facilities and strengthening India’s position in the global clean-energy and advanced-technology supply chain.