The Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (ICRI) signed the agreements with the State Research and Design Institute of Rare Metals Industry (JSC Giredmet), a subsidiary of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM), and the Moscow-based National University of Science and Technology (NSU).

In early April of this year, India launched the National Mission on Critical Minerals (NCMM) as a fundamental pillar for building a resilient and self-sufficient ecosystem to exploit these resources.

The mission focuses on boosting domestic production, encouraging private sector participation, strengthening international partnerships, and simplifying regulations to ensure a steady supply of essential minerals for clean energy technologies.

As explained by New Delhi, the program is consistent with its aspirations to reduce the emissions intensity of its Gross Domestic Product by 45 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, achieve 50 percent of its electricity capacity from non-fossil sources, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

Critical minerals are essential for economic development and national security, but their scarcity and limited geographic availability, which cause vulnerability and supply chain disruptions, constitute their criticality, based on an assessment in India.

The minerals are fundamental for the manufacture of semiconductors and high-end electronics and are an essential component in many clean energy technologies, from wind turbines and solar panels to electric vehicles. They are also used in the manufacture of fighter jets, drones, radio equipment, aircraft, the production of advanced technologies such as mobile phones, tablets, electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, fiber optic cables, and medical and defense applications, among others.

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