Days after finalising a trade agreement, India and the United States are deepening strategic cooperation through a new Critical Minerals Ministerial aimed at reducing global dependence on China. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the summit in Washington, where representatives from 54 countries gathered under an initiative led by the Trump administration.
Convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the meeting outlined plans for a new trading zone designed to diversify production hubs, stabilise investments, and create supply chains resilient to external disruptions. The proposed framework seeks to strengthen partnerships among resource-rich and technology-driven economies.
Jaishankar indicated that the ministerial was the primary purpose of his visit and confirmed India&rsquo;s support for the Forum on Resource, Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE), a platform introduced during the summit to enhance collaboration on critical minerals. He also emphasised the risks associated with over-concentration in mineral supply and stressed the need for international cooperation to de-risk global value chains.
Critical minerals and rare earth elements are essential for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced batteries, and autonomous systems. Currently, China dominates the sector, leading production in most minerals classified as critical by the US Geological Survey, accounting for roughly 70% of rare earth mining and more than 90% of processing capacity.
The US-led bloc aims to build secure and reliable supply networks, ensuring that partner nations are less vulnerable to geopolitical shocks.
India&rsquo;s participation aligns with its recent domestic push in the rare earth sector. In the Union Budget 2026&ndash;27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced government support for mineral-rich states, including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha to develop dedicated rare earth corridors. The government also unveiled Semiconductor Mission 2.0 to expand chip manufacturing capabilities and challenge China&rsquo;s stronghold in the semiconductor industry.
India has further advanced initiatives such as the National Critical Minerals Mission, signalling a broader strategy to secure resources vital for future technologies.
New Delhi&rsquo;s backing of the US initiative carries added significance as it follows closely on the heels of the bilateral trade deal that reduced US tariffs on Indian imports from 50% to 18%. Together, these moves point to a growing economic and strategic alignment between the two countries amid intensifying global competition over critical resources.

Jaishankar backs US-led forum as nations unite to secure earth supply chains now

India-US critical minerals bloc counters China now

Jaishankar backs US-led forum as nations unite to secure earth supply chains now

February 5, 2026 | 09:37 IST