Jaishankar, Rubio Sign Critical Minerals Framework to Secure Global Supply Chains

India and the United States on Tuesday strengthened their strategic partnership by formalizing a critical framework aimed at ensuring stable supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting amid increasing global concerns over China's export controls on strategic minerals essential for technology and manufacturing sectors.

External Affairs Minister  Dr.S.Jaishankar described the agreement as "timely and critical," emphasizing that the framework will deepen bilateral cooperation across the entire critical minerals value chain, including mining, processing, recycling, and investment opportunities.

Jaishankar stated that the initiative is designed to strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains while supporting financing mechanisms and effective management of critical minerals and rare earth resources.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of the agreement for both nations' strategic and economic interests. He called it a tangible example of the growing India-US partnership focused on securing long-term access to critical minerals essential for innovation-driven economies.

Rubio also referred to the US-backed Pax Silica initiative, noting that discussions gained momentum after India's participation in the Critical Minerals Forum in Washington and its decision to join Pax Silica, which seeks to establish secure and resilient supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence technologies.

The development marks another major step in expanding India-US cooperation in strategic sectors while addressing global supply chain vulnerabilities.