In April, China imposed export licence requirements on certain rare earths
For Indian manufacturers, already strained by global tensions, this has meant a near-total halt in critical mineral supplies
Rare earth minerals are essential for sectors like electric vehicles, solar power, and electronics
With China controlling most of the world’s reserves, extraction, and processing, India finds itself dangerously dependent
A decade ago, Japan faced a similar disruption and responded swiftly with stockpiles and alternative supply chains
India, despite worsening ties with China since 2020, failed to anticipate or prepare
Recent moves suggest some awareness
The government’s KABIL initiative and investments by Vedanta and smaller firms indicate early momentum, but these remain fragmented and uncoordinated
What India lacks is a comprehensive strategy that integrates domestic capability with global partnerships
Without clear direction and policy coherence, these isolated efforts will not be enough
China sources minerals from Myanmar; Indonesia demands local processing
India must adopt a pragmatic regional approach if it wants to secure its place in tomorrow’s mineral supply chains