India has extended support to FORGE, a new international initiative on critical minerals launched at the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington DC. The initiative is seen as a successor to the US-led Mineral Security Partnership and aims to strengthen cooperation on supply chains for minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the ministerial during his three-day visit to the United States.
Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington
The ministerial brought together delegations from more than 50 countries and the European Union. It focused on reducing dependence on concentrated supply chains and improving access to critical minerals needed for clean energy, defence, electronics and advanced manufacturing. Jaishankar described the meeting as productive and outcome-oriented. He underlined that excessive concentration in mineral processing and mining creates a major global risk. He also stressed the need for structured international cooperation to de-risk supply chains.
India’s Position on Supply Chain Resilience
India conveyed support for FORGE and brought into light its own efforts to build resilience in this sector. These include:
- National Critical Minerals Mission.
- Rare Earth Corridors.
- Responsible commerce in strategic minerals.
India’s support reflects its interest in diversifying sourcing, strengthening domestic capacity and reducing vulnerability in strategic supply networks. The move also aligns with broader global efforts to create more secure and transparent mineral ecosystems.
India-US Strategic Cooperation
During the visit, Jaishankar held bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The discussions covered trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defence, technology and critical minerals. The two sides also reviewed regional and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, Gaza and the Ukraine conflict. Both countries agreed to advance shared interests through early meetings of institutional mechanisms.
Quad and Trade Discussions
The US side said both countries committed to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quad. They also welcomed the recently announced India-US trade arrangement, under which the tariff on Indian goods was reduced to 18 per cent. The talks reinforced the strategic importance of the India-US partnership in the Indo-Pacific and in global supply chain security.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026