Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global Issues, Issue: Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting (Critical Minerals Club).
Context:
The Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting convened in Washington D.C. has highlighted the growing recognition of critical minerals as a strategic imperative rather than merely an economic concern.
Key Highlights:
- With the dominance of China in the mining and processing of these minerals, countries are increasingly seeking to diversify their supply chains.
- For India, this presents a unique opportunity to enhance its resource security while navigating the complexities of international relations.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting:
- Resource Security Concern: Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths are now seen as national security assets, with heavy global dependence on China raising strategic concerns.
- Strategic Economic Shift: Countries are moving toward a managed economic order, treating minerals as strategic reserves, reflected in initiatives like the $1 billion US Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve (Project Vault).
- Collective Diversification Efforts: Allied nations aim to cooperate in diversifying supply chains and reducing dependence on China through platforms such as the Forum on Resource and Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE).
The 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial reflects rising resource nationalism and strategic rivalry, offering India opportunities for mineral self-reliance while requiring careful navigation of a fragmented global order; success depends on inclusive, balanced implementation aligned with security and sustainability goals.
Source: (Live Mint)
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