Aligning India’s Interests with African Priorities in Critical Minerals

India seeks to align its critical minerals strategy with African nations to foster mutual benefits while enhancing its supply chains. Dr. Veda Vaidyanathan’s recent paper outlines effective collaboration pathways through stakeholder engagement and research frameworks. Recommendations for short and long-term actions position India to play a significant role in the global critical minerals landscape.

India’s National Critical Minerals Mission, initiated in January 2025, emphasizes acquiring critical mineral resources abroad to enhance trade with resource-rich nations and establish Critical Mineral Partnership Agreements. However, it lacks details on how to implement these strategies geographically.

The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) recently released Dr. Veda Vaidyanathan’s paper titled “India, Africa and Critical Minerals: Towards a Green Energy Partnership,” which outlines an Indian critical minerals strategy focused on Africa. This paper details the rationale, locations, and methods by which India can forge strategic partnerships with mineral-rich African nations.

Employing a unique methodology, the study includes interviews and consultations with policymakers, industry professionals, civil society members, and researchers. It aims to align African priorities with Indian interests and proposes nine policy pathways to create synergies in the critical minerals sector.

Dr. Vaidyanathan noted that recognizing African priorities and aligning them with Indian interests is essential for New Delhi, particularly as it seeks to diversify its critical mineral supply chains amidst geopolitical changes.

In the short term, recommendations for the Indian government include forming a task force comprised of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Critical Minerals, industry experts, and scholars to draft a white paper addressing the potential engagement of Indian companies in the African mining value chain.

Establishing solid India–Africa research collaborations could reveal opportunities and necessary precautions. India can leverage its established networks to connect research institutions across partner nations, such as ICT centers in Tanzania and Ghana.

In the long run, the private sector should be encouraged to invest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), pursue exploration licenses, engage in joint ventures, or develop refineries. A “Critical Minerals Compact” could be launched during the upcoming India–Africa Forum Summit.

New Delhi’s leadership role within the Global South uniquely positions it to pursue global collaboration on responsible sourcing of critical minerals, facilitating sustained growth and cooperation in this vital sector.

In summary, India’s engagement with Africa on critical minerals is not only strategic for its national interests but also beneficial for African nations. By aligning priorities, leveraging research relationships, and mobilizing private sector investments, India can establish a robust partnership in the realm of critical minerals. The proposed initiatives and recommendations provide a framework for both immediate and long-term collaboration.

Original Source: m.economictimes.com