India-US Sign Rare Bilateral Framework To Secure Critical Minerals And Rare Earths Supply Chains

New Delhi: India and the US signed a bilateral framework on Tuesday, aimed at securing the supply, mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced about the agreement, and aso highlighted its strategic importance in a highly contested global landscape.

What is the agreement?

Following bilateral discussions and the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the landmark agreement.

"We are today signing a bilateral India-US framework on securing supplies of mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths," Jaishankar said.

What did Jaishankar say about the meeting?

While talking about critical minerals, Jaishankar said that the issue was also a key point of discussion during the Quad meeting and securing these resources is "very timely and critical," regardless of whether it is pursued bilaterally, through the Quad format, or within a larger gathering of like-minded nations.

The framework is designed to expand cooperation across the entire critical minerals and rare earth supply chain. According to Jaishankar, the scope of the partnership will encompass mining, processing, recycling, and related investments.

“It will strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains, help us to collaborate on financing and with the effective management of critical minerals and rare earths,” Jaishankar said.

What did Marco Rubio say about strategic alliance?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the signing highlighted the strategic importance of ties between Washington and New Delhi.

"I have spoken often during my time here over the last few days about the strategic alliance between the United States and India and how important that is for our national interest in the United States. And today is a tangible example of it," Rubio said.